Quake prompts warnings

Quake prompts warnings
NUKU'ALOFA, Tonga -- A magnitude 7.9 earthquake struck early today near the South Pacific nation of Tonga, prompting tsunami warnings for as far away as Fiji and New Zealand. The warning was lifted after a tsunami of less than 2 feet was recorded.
There were no reports of injuries from the quake or tsunami, and a Tongan official said a few broken windows were the extent of the damage. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Honolulu lifted its warning for all areas within two hours. It said there was no data indicating that the 4:26 a.m. earthquake generated a giant wave.
"Sea level readings indicate a tsunami was generated," the center said. "It may have been destructive along coasts near the earthquake epicenter."
The temblor, classified by the U.S. Geological Survey as a "major" quake, struck about 95 miles south of Neiafu, Tonga, and 1,340 miles north-northeast of Auckland, New Zealand. It occurred 20 miles beneath the sea floor.
A warning said it was possible a tsunami could strike Fiji within two hours of the quake and then, an hour later, New Zealand.
Resolution targets Iran
UNITED NATIONS -- Britain and France introduced a U.N. Security Council resolution Wednesday demanding that Iran abandon its uranium enrichment program, possibly setting the stage for sanctions if Tehran does not comply.
Diplomats said they hoped the sharply worded resolution, backed by the United States, will be adopted before a meeting of foreign ministers in New York on Monday.
That could force a showdown with Russia, which has arms and technology deals with Iran, as well as China. Both nations have said they adamantly oppose tough council action, and could use their veto-power on the council to block it.
"I don't think this draft as it stands now will produce good results," China's U.N. Ambassador Wang Guangya said as he emerged from the Security Council meeting where the draft was introduced. "I think it's tougher than expected."
Price-gouging penalties
WASHINGTON -- The House approved criminal penalties and fines of up to $150 million Wednesday for energy companies caught price gouging, yet lawmakers acknowledged there is no quick and easy fix to higher pump prices.
President Bush summoned Democrats and Republicans to the White House to discuss legislation to address long-term energy concerns.
"The price of gasoline should serve as a wake-up call ... that we've got an energy security problem and a national security problem and now is the time to deal with it in a forceful way," Bush said after the meeting.
With bipartisan support, the House approved on a 389-34 vote a measure that would create a price-gouging law and permit large fines and jail time for violators.
The Senate has yet to consider the legislation.
Patients exposed to HIV?
SAN DIEGO -- A hospital nurse who failed to clean surgical instruments may have exposed nearly 300 patients to hepatitis or HIV, officials said Wednesday.
Officials at Scripps Memorial Hospital said the patients, who all underwent stomach-reduction surgery, had a "very low" risk of infection because the tools had undergone preliminary washes and rinses, although they were not sterilized with chemicals.
The nurse, whose name was not released, knowingly violated operating room procedures when she failed to fully clean a gastroscope, which is used to retrieve other surgical instruments from the stomach, said Scripps spokesman Don Stanziano.
The nurse worked at the hospital from September 2004 until last month, when she resigned after hospital officials confronted her.
"This employee was aware of the procedures and chose not to follow them, which is something we do not tolerate," Stanziano said.
State health officials are investigating the case.
It's triplets times two
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. -- Every parent feels a little overwhelmed when leaving the hospital with a newborn. What must it feel like to leave the hospital holding three newborns, to go home to another set of triplets?
"It's going to be rough in the beginning," Rich Fontana told WABC-TV of New York from St. Peter's University Hospital. "The older ones are going to take our time during the day, and the babies are going to be at night."
Rich and Sharon Fontana welcomed Elyssa, Evan and Eric into the world Monday. Their other children -- Danielle, David and Dylan -- are 2 years old, which means the family has a total of six children in diapers.
The Fontanas said both sets of triplets were conceived without medical help, a fact that is especially interesting considering that 12 years ago Sharon Fontana was told by her doctor that she would not get pregnant.
Associated Press