This is not original reporting. All information has been compiled from The New York Times. Silver Chips Online posts this news summary to provide readers with a forum for discussion.
Pakistan
Feb. 2 - Al Qaeda, in cooperation with its affiliates, intends to coordinate a large-scale terrorist attack on the U.S. within the next six months. Dennis C. Blair, U.S. Director of National Intelligence, informed legislators of Al Qaeda's plans in a Senate hearing along with top officials from the Central Intelligence Agency (C.I.A.) and the Federal Bureau of Intelligence (F.B.I). In addition to the threat of a physical attack on American soil, Blair mentioned the growing probability that Al Qaeda would destroy computer networks and target telecommunications. These announcements mark a departure from Blair's outlook last year, when he expressed confidence in the U.S.'s ability to weaken Al Qaeda networks.
Costa Rica
Venezuela
Feb. 8 - In the first edition of his new radio talk show, "Suddenly Chavez," Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez declared a nationwide electricity emergency due to a drought's drain on hydroelectric power supplies. This decree allows the government to implement immediate emergency measures, including rationing, seeding clouds for rain and investing in thermoelectric generators. Chavez instituted rolling blackouts starting in January to ration electricity, but he was forced to restore power in Caracas, the capital, when citizens began to riot. The announcement comes as Chavez's approval rating drops to 50 percent from 60 percent last year. Water shortages and increased crime have also contributed to the president's decrease in popularity.
Canada
Julia Wynn. Hello, my name is Julia Wynn and I am looking forward to my senior year as a member of the Silver Chips Online staff. I love to dance (especially poms), listen to music and play piano. My two main food necessities are any kind of … More »
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