In the World
Satellite to track greenhouse gases
TOKYO - Japan yesterday launched the first satellite to monitor greenhouse gases worldwide, a tool to help scientists better judge where global-warming emissions are coming from and how much is being absorbed by the oceans and forests.
The orbiter, Ibuki, together with a similar U.S. satellite to be launched next month, represents an enormous leap in available data on carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere, now drawn from scattered ground stations. Scientists say they now get about 100 observations every two weeks; with the satellite they will get about a million.
Ibuki, which will circle the globe every 100 minutes, is equipped with optical sensors that measure reflected light from Earth to determine the density of the two gases.
- AP
Icelandic leader will step down
REYKJAVIK, Iceland - Facing serious health problems and one of the worst economic crises gripping the globe, Prime Minister Geir Haarde yesterday called for early national elections.
With mounting daily protests, Haarde said he would call elections May 9 and would not seek reelection because doctors found a malignant tumor in his throat last week. He said he was optimistic he would recover.
The move was welcomed by opposition leaders, who said the public was still demanding that he resign immediately.
- AP
Russia to help U.S.-Afghan effort
MOSCOW - Russian President Dmitry A. Medvedev said yesterday that Moscow was ready to help stabilize the situation in Afghanistan by allowing the United States and others to ship cargo for coalition forces across Russia.
Medvedev said the country was also prepared to help combat drug trafficking and terrorism in Afghanistan. During his visit to Afghanistan's neighbor Uzbekistan, Medvedev voiced hope that the Obama administration would do better than its predecessors in stabilizing Afghanistan.
Medvedev's comments appeared to reflect the Kremlin's wish to mend ties with Washington, which deteriorated under the administration of George W. Bush.
- AP
Elsewhere:
North Korea's
Kim Jong Il gave a strong indication yesterday that he has recovered from a stroke as he held talks with Chinese envoy Wang Jiarui, state-run media reported. Wang is the first foreign dignitary known to have seen the reclusive North Korean leader since he reportedly suffered a stroke in August.
Skeletons of livestock
are piling up in the scorching sun of the Southern Hemisphere's summer as the worst drought in a generation turns much of Argentina's breadbasket into a dust bowl. The nation's farm sector stands to lose $5 billion this year.
Authorities in the Bahamas
detained an island lawmaker and a paramedic in an alleged plot to extort money from actor John Travolta after the death of his son, police said. Officials did not reveal what the alleged extortion involved.
