Musharraf appeals for national unity

Musharraf appeals
for national unity

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — President Pervez Musharraf appealed for national unity as unofficial returns showed the opposition taking commanding leads early today in parliamentary elections aimed at bolstering democracy and calming political strife.

Fear and apathy kept millions of voters at home during Monday’s vote. But while at least 24 people were killed in election-related violence, the country was spared the type of Islamic militant attacks that scarred the campaign, most notably the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto.

State-run television early today gave the two main opposition parties strong leads in early unofficial tallies, a trend conceded by the president’s Pakistan Muslim League-Q party. Final official results were not expected before Wednesday.

“As far as we are concerned, we will be willing to sit on opposition benches if final results prove that we have lost. This is the trend,” party spokesman Tariq Azeem said.

Recovery under way in
storm-damaged South

PRATTVILLE, Ala. — Homeowners, utility crews and others worked Monday to clear away wreckage and restore services after the latest round of winter tornadoes to smash through the South.

Alabama Gov. Bob Riley toured part of Prattville and said he was impressed by the community’s response to the twister that struck the town.

“One of the great things about living in Alabama — and I say this after every major emergency we have — it truly is amazing to see what’s happening out there with all the families in this state,” Riley said.

At least 50 people were injured, and about 200 homes and 40 businesses were damaged in the Prattville area, according to the National Weather Service. No deaths were reported. Two people who were critically injured were upgraded to serious Monday, said Todd Stacy, a spokesman for the governor.

Anti-AIDS gel disappoints,
failing to prevent infection

The first anti-AIDS vaginal gel to make it through late-stage testing failed to stop HIV infection in a study of 6,000 South African women, disappointed researchers announced Monday.

The study was marred by low use of the gel, which could have undermined results, they said. Women used it less than half the number of times they had sex, and only 10 percent said they used it every time as directed.

Scientists are still analyzing the results to see if this made a difference. They also plan more tests on a revamped gel containing an AIDS drug that they hope will work better.

The gel used in the current study did prove safe, however, and researchers called that a watershed event. But for now, the effort is the latest disappointment in two decades of trying to develop a microbicide — a cream or gel women could use to lower their risk of getting HIV through sex. A female-controlled method is especially needed in poor countries where women often can’t persuade men to use condoms.

Reagan to spend second
night in hospital after fall

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Former first lady Nancy Reagan was expected to spend a second night at a hospital as a precaution after falling down in her Bel-Air home, her spokeswoman said Monday.

Reagan, 86, was taken to St. John’s Health Center, where doctors determined she did not break a hip as feared when she fell early Sunday, her spokeswoman Joanne Drake said.

She underwent more tests Monday.

“I am pleased to report that doctors have concluded their tests, all results are good and they intend to release Mrs. Reagan from the hospital tomorrow,” Drake said in a statement Monday night.

Crew leaves space station

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Atlantis and its seven-man crew were homeward bound after leaving the international space station and checking the thermal casing of their ship Monday for the fiery ride back to Earth.

The space shuttle is due back Wednesday. Good weather is expected at Cape Canaveral, but if that changes, NASA will guide Atlantis to the backup touchdown site in California to give the military time enough time to shoot down a damaged spy satellite without endangering the shuttle.

With pilot Alan Poindexter at the controls, Atlantis undocked from the space station after nine days of linked flight. The shuttle circled the orbiting complex with its newest science lab before vanishing into the blackness of space.

Associated Press