From NPR News in Washington, I`m Craig Windham.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy says the leaders of Syria and Lebanon have agreed to reestablish normal diplomatic relations for the first time in years. Sarkozy made the announcement speaking through a translator after a meeting in Paris. “First, I would like to say that, from the French point of view, the willingness of President Bashar al-Assad to open a diplomatic office in Lebanon and the willingness of Lebanon to open its diplomatic office in Syria represent historic progress.” However, Syrian president al-Assad seemed cautions about how quickly the changes might occur.
The UN Refuge Agency is urging the government of South Africa not to forcibly deport refuges from Zimbabwe, the number of people fleeing Zimbabwe has been on the rise, following the wave of violence ended up opposition supporters during the days leading up to that country`s disputed presidential runoff election. Lisa Schlein reports from Geneva.
The UN Refuge Agency says an increasing number of families are arriving as a result of political violence in Zimbabwe, several people have shown signs of beatings or torture, spokeswoman Jennifer Pagonis says many people are entering South Africa illegally. “So, this makes a difficult to give an accurate estimate of the numbers involved. * from the recent deportation, they remain underground, making them vulnerable to other forms of violence and exploitation, such as rape and robbery.” Pagonis says some 17,000 Zimbabweans have been deported from South Africa through one border post in the last 40 days alone, she says these deportations have gone head despite earlier calls from the UNHCR to suspend all forcible returns. For NPR News, I`m Lisa Schlein in Geneva.
Former White House Press Secretary and Political Commentator Tony Snow has died of cancer at the age of 53. NPR`s Barber Clain has more.
Snow spent more than 25 years in the news business, he became best known as host of Fox News Sunday, in an appearance with Comedy Central Steven Colbert earlier this year, Snow said he loved being a journalist. “Are you a journalist?” “Well, I used to be, I don`t think I`m any more.” “When were you a journalist? Cos I`m now.” “I was a journalist for about 27 years, I mean …” “What did you do?” “I wrote, I was a newspaper editor for the better part of 20 years, I was a TV host during Fox News Sunday…” “That`s what I thought, OK. You, you, you are a legitimate journalist going out there, walking the bee, at what point did you say yourself.” “This is worthless.” “Never.” Snow was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2005. In a statement, President Bush said he was sadden by the loss of a dear friend and the country had lost one of its best writers and commentators. Barber Clain, NPR News, Washington.
Legendary cardiovascular surgeon doctor Michael DeBakey has died in Houston at the age of 99, he pioneered heart bypass surgery and other now widely used procedures. This is NPR News from Washington.
Vice President Dick Cheney had his annual physical today at the George Washington University Hospital including an electrical cardiogram. Doctors say Cheney`s cardiac status is stable. The 67 year old Cheney has had four heart attacks and quadruple bypass surgery.
North Korea has agreed to complete the dismantling of its main nuclear reactor by the end of October and to allow international inspectors to verify the country`s nuclear disarmament and exchange for the inspections. North Korea would get few another economic assistances, the agreement announced talks in Beijing were short on specifics however.
NASA is facing a tight timeline to keep this year`s space shuttle launch schedule on track, 7 astronauts spent time at the Kennedy Space Center this week, training for October`s mission to the Hubble Space telescope. As Pat Duggins of member station WMFE reports a key piece of shuttle hardware remains a concern.
An ocean going barge is carrying an external fuel tank to the Kennedy Space Center on Florida is landing coast, it`s needed to launch the October mission to the Hubble Space Telescope. The concern for NASA is the two tanks needed to be ready to go, one is for Atlanta the other`s for rescue shuttle that has to be on NASA`s other launch pad.
This is especially critical since the Hubble crew can`t retreat to the international space station in case of launch the damaged to the shuttle, Hubble operates in a different orbit into a higher altitude in the station. The backup tank is still being assembled during the * and should be delivered in August, the Hubble repair crew were swap out batteries in gyroscopes in the * on the aging of observatory. For NPR News, I`m Pat Duggins in Orlando.
Wildfire in California`s Butte County north of Sacramento is now about 40 percent contained, thousands of people who were evacuated as a precaution are being allowed to return to their homes.
I am Craig Windom, NPR news in Washington.
