Economy Grows at Solid 3.8 Percent Pace in Final Quarter of 2004 (3/30/05)
By Jeannine Aversa The Associated Press Published: Mar 30, 2005
WASHINGTON (AP) - The economy - supported by solid business and consumer spending - grew in the closing three months of 2004 at an annual rate of 3.8 percent. It's expected to perform even better in the opening quarter of this year. The reading on the gross domestic product, released by the Commerce Department on Wednesday, turned out to be the same as a previous estimate made a month ago.
Interesting News:
Sword Belonging to Rebel Portrayed in 'Braveheart' Leaves Scotland for First Time in 700 Years
The Associated Press Published: Mar 30, 2005
LONDON (AP) - One of Scotland's national treasures, the 5-foot sword wielded by William Wallace, the rebel leader portrayed in the Academy Award-winning film "Braveheart," left its homeland for the first time in more than 700 years Wednesday.
The double-handed weapon that belonged to Wallace will be the centerpiece of an exhibition at New York's Grand Central Station during Tartan Day celebrations, which begin later this week.
Today in History - 3/30/05:
Ten years ago: Pope John Paul II issued the 11th encyclical of his papacy in which he condemned abortion and euthanasia as crimes that no human laws could legitimize.
TM Related News:
Chlorine Leak After Chinese Highway Crash Kills 27, Sickens Hundreds (3/30/05)
The Associated Press Published: Mar 30, 2005
BEIJING (AP) - A truck loaded with chlorine overturned on a highway in eastern China after a tire burst, spewing fumes that killed 27 people and left another 285 hospitalized, the government said Wednesday.
More than 10,000 people were evacuated after the late Tuesday accident on the main highway linking Beijing and Shanghai, the official Xinhua News Agency said, citing local officials.
Terror-tied U.S. Bank Fined $16M for Suspicious Transactions (3/30/05) Mar 30 - A Washington-based bank that a federal judge openly condemned as a "henchman of dictators" agreed on Tuesday to a $16 million fine for "failing to report its suspicious transactions with foreigners," including US-backed Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet.
Riggs Bank entered a guilty plea in late January of this year after Justice Department officials laid out a case detailing the banks pursuit of foreign clients and its willingness to bend or break rules in order to secure high rolling -- and highly controversial -- customers...
Moderate Islam Gets A Washington Address; Center for Islamic Pluralism Announces Opening (3/30/05)
WASHINGTON, March 30 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The Center for Islamic Pluralism (CIP), a U.S.-based platform for moderate Muslims throughout North America, announced its opening in Washington, D.C.
CIP's aims are to promote moderate Islam in the U.S. and globally; educate the American public, media, and government about moderate Islam; oppose the influence of militant Islam in the United States and abroad; and promote authentic and constructive interfaith dialogue between Muslims and adherents of other faiths.
"We define "moderate Islam" in the American context as an Islam that finds its proper and equal place as one of many among the religions represented in America, with rights neither greater nor lesser than any other,"said Executive Director Stephen Suleyman Schwartz.
The CIP is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt public charity. Contributions are deductible under section 170 of the Code. It is qualified to receive tax deductible bequests, devises, transfers, and gifts under section 2055, 2106, or 2622 of the code.
An Unholy Alliance - Aryan Nation leader reaches out to al Qaeda (3/29/05)
By Henry Schuster CNN
SEBRING, Florida (CNN) -- A couple of hours up the road from where some September 11 hijackers learned to fly, the new head of Aryan Nation is praising them -- and trying to create an unholy alliance between his white supremacist group and al Qaeda.
"You say they're terrorists, I say they're freedom fighters. And I want to instill the same jihadic feeling in our peoples' heart, in the Aryan race, that they have for their father, who they call Allah."
Possible WWII-era Mine Washes Ashore off The Moorings in Indian River County (FL - 3/30/05)
A passerby spotted the ordnance on a beach near a Reef Road residence around 4:25 p.m. and called 911.
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY A section of beach at The Moorings was cordoned off Thursday evening after a beachgoer noticed what appeared to be a World War II-era mine in the sand.
A round, corroded device about 15 inches in diameter and 4 inches thick was sticking out of an embankment near a tiki hut.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel from Patrick Air Force Base in Satellite Beach were scheduled to determine if the device was explosive and remove it. Bombs, land mines and depth charges were used more than 60 years ago while World War II military personnel trained on the barrier island.
Schwartz???
Beautiful report A41~
Few things:
Moderate Islam Gets A Washington Address; Center for Islamic Pluralism Announces Opening
I think this deems worthy to send to my best source-thanks!
Terror-tied U.S. Bank Fined $16M for Suspicious Transactions
Would you pleeease post this at NoE?
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Sorry if these are repeats:
Former school official faces terrorism charges
http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/03/31/terror.suspect.arrest/index.html
Alleged aide to al-Zarqawi a dual U.S. citizen
Prisoner is thought to have personal ties to insurgent leader
http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/03/31/zarqawi.aide/index.html
NUCLEAR WAR-FEAR
Exile group: Iran set aside billions for nukes
Resistance activist backs up author's claim mullahs going atomic
http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=43587
Americans expect nuclear attack
Author says Iran poses imminent threat
http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=43578
GLOBAL INSECURITY
Report: Chem attack planned for Europe
German intelligence fearful of 'big bang' from Zarqawi
Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the most wanted man in Iraq, is said to be planning a chemical-weapons attack on the European continent, according to intelligence sources.
http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=43564