Beyond The Hedges

9/23/10 7:00pm

National

Tornadoes in NYC

Two tornadoes struck New York City Sept. 16, causing damage in Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island. One woman was killed, and thousands of trees in neighborhoods and parks were downed. FEMA officials went to the city Wednesday to investigate the damage done and see if the city will qualify for federal aid in cleaning up after the storm. In order to qualify, FEMA must determine that at least $25 million in damages have been done.

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Source: The New York Times'Don't ask, don't tell' remains

The U.S. Senate failed Tuesday to get enough votes to start debate on the repeal of the military's 'Don't ask, don't tell' policy. The measure, instated in 1993, allows gays to serve in the military so long as they do not reveal their sexual orientation. Despite Senate majority and White House support, only 56 of the necessary 60 votes to begin debate on the issue were achieved. A Pentagon investigation into the measure is due to be completed by the beginning of December.

Source: Washington Post

Republicans present 'Pledge'

Republican members of the House of Representatives presented a new agenda, "Pledge to America," yesterday. The agenda's points include the extension of the Bush tax cuts and the requirement of congressional approval for new regulations which would cost the economy at least $100 million. House Democrats have criticized the agenda for promoting a return to failed policies and for not providing details on how Republicans would deal with Medicare and Social Security.

Source: Wall Street Journal

International

Report says Israel broke law

An investigation by the UN Human Rights Council has reported that Israel broke international law in dealing with the 'Gaza Flotilla,' a six-ship convoy from Turkey which was boarded by Israeli commandoes May 31 when it attempted to break Israel's naval blockade of Gaza. Israel has called the report's claims biased and one-sided, and the council extremist and politicized. Israel is also conducting an investigation into the events, as is another UN inquiry.

Source: BBC

Fishing dispute escalates

Sino-Japanese relations have deteriorated after Japan took a Chinese fishing captain prisoner Sept. 7 under suspicion of having purposefully rammed into two Japanese patrol vessels in the East China Sea. Nearby uninhabited islands - called Senkaku in Japanese, and Diaoyu in Chinese - are administered by Japan but claimed by China. Neither Chinese nor Japanese politicians appear interested in backing down on the issue, with China turning down invitations for talks and insisting that the captain be returned immediately and Japan claiming the legal right to investigate the captain.

Source: Christian Science Monitor

Election fraud in Afghanistan

Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission reported Tuesday that there was evidence of fraud in Saturday's parliamentary elections. Some districts under Taliban or militia control reported turnout rates of more than 100 percent, suggesting that ballot stuffing took place. There appears to have been an increased incidence of violence over last year's presidential elections - while there were around 450 instances then, one source estimated that there were around 600 during Saturday's elections.

Source: Miami Herald

Fanapi hits Asia

Typhoon Fanapi killed two in Taiwan on Sunday before moving on to China, where it had killed at least 54 in Guangdong Province as of yesterday morning. The typhoon is the strongest to hit China yet this year, and the rains are the heaviest Guangdong Province has experienced in a century, with some areas reporting 25 inches over one 24-hour period.

Source: BBC

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