Thursday, August 19, 2010
After slow start, aid trickles in to Pakistan
LONDON
Crops destroyed, millions homeless, children hungry. The scenes from flood-hit Pakistan are wrenching — but the global response has been criticized as sluggish.
The United Nations says it has yet to raise half its $460 million target. The World Health Organization has received commitments for just 25 percent of the $56 million it has asked for.
Relief agencies say they are puzzled by the lack of generosity, while analysts cite a mix of factors: the disaster’s low death toll, its timing during the Northern Hemisphere’s summer holidays and fears that aid money will be squandered through corruption or make its way into the hands of the Taliban.
After a slow start, the U.N. and relief agencies say donations are now rising as the scale of the calamity becomes clear.
Dignitaries attend Stevens’ funeral
ANCHORAGE, Alaska
When former U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens made a commitment, people could bet their lives that he would follow through, Vice President Joe Biden said Wednesday at the funeral of the Senate’s longest-serving Republican.
Stevens, who died along with four others last week in a plane crash in southwest Alaska, was remembered by Biden and other speakers as a fierce defender of Alaska and its way of life.
The funeral Wednesday marked the end of three days of remembrances that began Monday when several hundred people attended a Catholic Mass in Anchorage. Mourners filed past a closed coffin Tuesday as Stevens’ body lay in repose at an Episcopal church.
Facebook adds location-based feature
NEW YORK
Facebook users carrying their smart phones will soon be able to “check in” to real-world locations such as bars, parks and live concerts as the social network makes its first foray into the location-services craze.
With the much-anticipated launch of Facebook Places late Wednesday, the world’s largest social network joins a growing number of services that let users find coupons, earn quirky merit badges or simply share with friends where they are.
American activist surrenders in Peru
LIMA, Peru
An American activist convicted of aiding leftist rebels surrendered to police Wednesday after a court struck down a decision granting her parole and ordered her to return to prison, where she is to remain with her 15-month-old son for the time being.
Lori Berenson was arrested by police at the U.S. Embassy, embassy spokesman James Fennell said.
Berenson has acknowledged collaborating with the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movemen, but said she was never a member nor involved in violent acts.
She has so far served 15 years of a 20-year prison sentence for terrorist collaboration.
Associated Press