hUNICEF distances itself from Belafonte's remarks

hUNICEF distances itselffrom Belafonte's remarks
UNITED NATIONS -- The U.N. children's agency said singer Harry Belafonte, above, right, with Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez, was speaking as a private citizen, not a UNICEF goodwill ambassador, when he called President Bush "the greatest terrorist in the world." The 78-year-old Belafonte, famous for his calypso-inspired music, made headlines during a trip to Venezuela when he spoke out against Bush and said millions of Americans support the socialist revolution of Chavez. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF said in a statement that Belafonte -- a UNICEF goodwill ambassador since 1987 -- made the comments "as a private citizen and was not speaking as a UNICEF ambassador, nor acting in an official capacity on behalf of the organization."
Doctors: Sharon isbreathing on his own
JERUSALEM -- Ariel Sharon started breathing on his own Monday and moved his right arm and leg in response to pain stimulation in what his surgeon called an important development. But it will be days before doctors can determine whether he is lucid or will be able to return to the job. "The prime minister is breathing spontaneously," said Dr. Shlomo Mor-Yosef, the director of Hadassah Hospital, adding that the movements of Sharon's arm and leg marked "a slight but significant improvement." Sharon's response is a "very important" sign and indicated his brain stem is working, said his chief surgeon, Dr. Felix Umansky, briefing reporters for the first time. It is still too early, however, to assess what impact the massive bleeding he suffered in his right brain would have on his abilities to think and reason or on the left side of his body, Umansky said.
Brief hospital stay for VP
WASHINGTON -- Medication that Dick Cheney was taking for a foot problem caused fluid retention that in turned caused shortness of breath, resulting in a brief but not serious hospital stay early Monday for the vice president, his office said. Cheney was taken to George Washington University Hospital at 3 a.m. EST. About 41/2 hours later, he headed for home -- walking out of the hospital without the use of a cane and carrying coffee and a newspaper. By midafternoon, the vice president was at the White House attending meetings and following his regular schedule, Cheney spokeswoman Lea Anne McBride said. The 64-year-old vice president has a long history of mostly heart-related health problems. But doctors determined from an unchanged EKG, or electrocardiogram, that the shortness of breath was related instead to anti-inflammatory drugs he was taking for a foot problem, McBride said.
Mine survivor fights fever
BUCKHANNON, W.Va. -- As the investigation into the Sago Mine disaster took shape Monday, the best hope for firsthand details about the explosion and its aftermath lay in critical condition, fighting a fever. Doctors treating sole survivor Randal McCloy Jr. declined to speculate on when the 26-year-old would fully wake up from a medically induced coma or comment on the extent of any brain damage he suffered in the tragedy that killed 12 fellow coal miners. But physicians said McCloy's brain stem appeared to be normal, and that a fever is common for patients in intensive care. McCloy was breathing on his own, although he remained connected to a ventilator as a precaution, and was responding to stimuli, doctors said. The updates on McCloy's condition came as three more families held funerals Monday for the miners.
Report: Canadian meatimported despite warnings
WASHINGTON -- More than 4.4 billion pounds of Canadian meat and poultry made its way into U.S. grocery stores despite government officials' warnings that Canada wasn't doing enough to assure the safety of its food products. A report by the Agriculture Department inspector general found that food safety officials in the department warned two years ago that public health was at risk, yet agency brass refused to limit shipments from Canada. In fact, the department says it can't take final action on Canada's inspection system until November 2007. Meanwhile, Canadian officials say they have already taken steps to fix the problems. The Agriculture Department said Monday it addressed problems at individual Canadian plants. "In no instance was public health placed at risk," said Richard Raymond, undersecretary for food safety.
Associated Press