From NPR News in Washington, I’m Craig Windham.
President Bush has issued an emergency declaration for California opening the way for more federal assistance for fire crews battling hundreds of wild fires there, most sparked by lightning. More than 260, 000 acres have burnt so far. Christine A* from member station KZYX has more.
Terry Morgan is a firefighter with Cal fire in Cloverdale. He says Cal fire has two engines, a private bulldozer and 22 volunteer firefighters working on the near-one-thousand-acre fire. “Multiplied by ten times, so that is how short we are. We have no hand crews to speak of. The problems in list have ten hand crews on fire of this magnitude if this is only fire going, but obviously that is not so there. It will *.” President Bush’s federal emergency declaration is expected to bring more support and supply of the 75 percent in federal fund for relief efforts in the state. FEMA and Department of Homeland Security are expected to provide some of that support which will relieve fatigue firefighters who’ve been on the frontline for days now. For NPR I’m Christine A* in F, California.
More heavy rain in the Midwest is adding to flooding * in southwest of Missouri. In a town of Winfield, a makeshift sandbag levee failed today, sending flood waters into dozens of homes. Dan F manages an emergency shelter there for the Red Cross. “The morale is pretty good, because at this point time, everyone is, is cleared out of houses and they are kinda wondering when FEMA and when, you know, they can get help both monetary and materials.” More than 125 homes in Winfield have been destroyed or damaged by the flood. Tens of thousands of homes and businesses remained without electricity in Omaha after storms packing high winds tore through the area, ripping off roof tops and downing trees, utility poles. Local officials said it will take days to restore power completely.
President Bush says the US will press the UN Security Council to take strong action against Zimbabwe for a presidential election that he called “sham”. The European Union is also considering sanctions as Larry Miller reports from London.
The European Union called the Zimbabwe election “a sham”. Nobel Peace laureate * said the world has the right to intervene in Zimbabwe. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown described the election as a new low and said the world is united in rejecting the illegitimate regime of Robert Mugabe. Brown said tougher EU sanctions are prepared and that Britain will work to close what he called “the sickening chapter”. Brown urged the African Union to take strong action when it meets Monday. Meanwhile London’s independent newspaper reports agents of Mugabe regime are harassing and intimidating Zimbabwe dissidents in Britain through surveillance, threats against family members in Zimbabwe and late night phone calls. The paper said this was confirmed by British security resources.
Larry Miller reporting.
This is NPR News from Washington.
The US military says 32 militants have been killed in Afghanistan as they were attacking a patrol of Afghan and coalition forces when the militants first ambushed the patrol. Coalition troops called air strikes.
Presidential candidate Barack Obama and John McCain are both pledging to reform the nation’s immigration policy. They each got standing ovations in separated appearances today before a meeting of Latino elective officials.
Riot police in B have detained dozens of extremists to a tossing rock, bottles and gasoline bombs since the capital city’s first ever gay pride parade. About 150 people took part in the event. No serious injuries were reported.
One of North America’s largest gay pride festivals is underway in Toronto. More from D K.
The fest here is rather than *. The party has been going strong on way. It’s the 28th this year that the city is held gay pride celebrations. Toronto has become one of the most prominent gay pride festivals in the world. This year, about 1.2 million people are expected to attend the pride parade on Sunday and that’s become big tourist business of the city. That’s also become a political event as politicians from all parties and levels of government showed their support. And this year for the first time, Canadian military personnel in uniform will be allowed to take part in the march. The soldiers will march alongside firefighters, police and others. One officer said they will send out messages of Canadian forces is an employers of choice for all people. For NPR News, I’m D K in Toronto.
A teenager was struck and killed by a roller coaster at the *, some amusement park outside Atlanta this afternoon after entering a restricted area near the ride. A spokeswoman for the park said that 17 old apparently ignored warning signs and scaled two large fences to enter that area.
I am Craig Windham, NPR News, in Washington.
