Monday, December 24, 2001
Man charged in airlinethreat appears in court
BOSTON -- A man suspected of trying to set off explosives hidden in his shoes while flying on a jetliner was ordered held in federal custody today, and authorities said they had no evidence to link him to Osama bin Laden's terror network.
Richard C. Reid, 28, dressed in a prison jump suit and sitting alone in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith Dein today, responded, "Yeah" when she asked if he understood the charge against him, intimidation or assault of a flight crew causing interference with their duties He was ordered held in federal custody until a bail hearing Friday, and faces a maximum 20 years in prison if convicted. The FBI said more charges are likely.
Airports around the country and in Europe ratcheted up security yet another notch, requiring passengers to send their shoes through X-ray machines before boarding.
New Argentine presidentsuspends debt payments
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina -- Swept into office after Argentina's economic crisis boiled over into riots and looting, President Adolfo Rodriguez Saa suspended payment of its suffocating debt load and left the country veering toward the biggest default in history.
The moratorium placed Sunday on the payments of the $132 billion debt was Saa's first major announcement after he replaced Fernando de la Rua, driven from power last week after a popular revolt against his economic policies. The move to temporarily halt payments -- expected by many Wall Street analysts for weeks -- left creditors bracing for huge losses and raised the risk Argentina will plunge further into recession.
Nigerian justice ministershot to death in his home
ABUJA, Nigeria -- Nigeria's justice minister was shot and killed by one of several unidentified attackers who broke into his home in the southeastern city of Ibadan, government officials and family members said today. Bola Ige died around 10 p.m. Sunday after being shot once in the chest, according to Bose Ehindero, a relative of Ige who answered the phone at Ige's residence today.
An aide to President Olusegun Obasanjo, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the death without giving details. The Nigerian leader canceled a planned visit to Zimbabwe as soon as he heard the news, the aide said.
Israel issues ultimatum
RAMALLAH, West Bank -- In a new ultimatum, Israel said today it will only allow Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat to attend Christmas Mass in Bethlehem if he arrests the assassins of an Israeli Cabinet minister by sundown. The Israeli military sent reinforcements today to checkpoints ringing the West Bank town of Ramallah, where Arafat is staying, to prevent the Palestinian leader from defying the travel ban. Bethlehem, Jesus' traditional birthplace, is about 12 miles south of Ramallah.
Arafat, a Muslim, has said he is determined to make his annual pilgrimage to Bethlehem. However, Arafat was evasive today, saying in response to the Israeli ultimatum: "No one can humiliate the Palestinians or make them lose their determination."
Associated Press