Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Study: Global warming
may reduce hurricanes
WASHINGTON — Global warming could reduce how many hurricanes hit the United States, according to a new federal study that clashes with other research.
The new study is the latest in a contentious scientific debate over how man-made global warming may affect the intensity and number of hurricanes.
In it, researchers link warming waters, especially in the Indian and Pacific oceans, to increased vertical wind shear in the Atlantic Ocean near the United States. Wind shear — a change in wind speed or direction — makes it hard for hurricanes to form, strengthen and stay alive.
So that means “global warming may decrease the likelihood of hurricanes making landfall in the United States,” according to researchers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Miami Lab and the University of Miami.
With every degree Celsius that the oceans warm, the wind shear increases by up to 10 mph, weakening storm formation, said study author Chunzai Wang, a research oceanographer at NOAA. Winds forming over the Pacific and Indian oceans have global effects, much like El Nino does, he said.
Jose Padilla sentenced
MIAMI — Federal officials never backed off their claim that Jose Padilla planned a radioactive “dirty bomb” attack, but they didn’t present that evidence in court. Choosing to prosecute on lesser charges came with a price.
Prosecutors sought a life sentence against Padilla on terrorism support and conspiracy counts, but on Tuesday they got 17 years and four months. With time served and good behavior in prison, the 37-year-old could be free around age 50.
The defense and Padilla’s supporters considered it a victory.
“I feel good about everything. This is amazing,” said Padilla’s mother, Estela Lebron. “He’s not a terrorist. ... He’s just a human being.”
In imposing the sentence, U.S. District Judge Marcia Cooke said Padilla and his two co-defendants did not compare with terror suspects who have received life sentences, such as Sept. 11, 2001, attacks conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui or Terry Nichols, convicted of involvement in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing.
Missing Marine reportedly
visited cousin in Mexico
GUADALAJARA, Mexico — Missing Marine Cesar Laurean, wanted in the slaying of a pregnant colleague, visited relatives in Mexico last week, a man identified as his cousin said Tuesday.
Juan Antonio Ramos Ramirez told The Associated Press that Laurean walked into his liquor store last Monday or Tuesday and the two cousins chatted for 10 minutes about their families. Laurean then told Ramos Ramirez that he had to get back to two friends outside, but he might return. He never came back.
CNN first reported Tuesday that Laurean had briefly stopped by Ramos Ramirez’s liquor store in Zapopan, just outside Guadalajara.
Days later, Ramos Ramirez saw a television report that Laurean was wanted in the United States for killing 20-year-old Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach.
Israel sends fuel to Gaza
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Israel sent fuel to Gaza’s power plant Tuesday, easing its five-day blockade of the Palestinian territory amid growing international concern about a humanitarian crisis.
The U.S. warned Israel not to add to the hardship for ordinary Palestinians but blamed the problem on Gaza’s Islamic Hamas rulers. Israel imposed the siege in response to increasing rocket attacks on its border communities by Gaza militants.
Associated Press