Menu
02/09/2005
Explosions rock New Orleans
A series of unexplained blasts rocked the New Orleans riverfront on Friday.
It is unclear what caused the blasts, which occurred around 04:30 local time on Friday morning, although some reports have indicated that a chemical factory may have been involved and fires are raging at the scene.
Aid efforts are continuing in the city, which was devastated by Hurricane Katrina earlier in the week.
Thousands of people are feared dead, following the hurricane, which devastated parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.
Around 80% of New Orleans remains under water and evacuations are still continuing across the city. Many of those left in the city are now believed to be without food and water.
It is understood that thousands of people have been evacuated from the New Orleans Superdome, where over 20,000 people are believed to have taken refuge. However, the relief work at the Superdome were suspended on Thursday, after shots were reportedly fired at a helicopter attempting to evacuate people.
And there are increasing reports of lawlessness in the city, where it is estimated that around 60,000 people are still stranded, many withut food and water. Widespread looting has been reported, as well as number of violent incidences including shootings, carjackings and rapes.
Additional troops are being sent into the city, in order to try and control the disorder.
Governor of Louisiana Kathleen Blanco said on Friday that "battle-tested" National Guard were being deployed with "locked and loaded" M16s. She said: "These troops know how to shoot and kill, and I expect they will."
The US Senate has approved $10.5 billion of aid for the region. However, President George Bush has come under increasing criticism for his handling of the situation, with critics, including New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, saying that the aid effort has been too slow.
President Bush admitted on Friday that the initial aid effort was “not acceptable”, but he pledged that the government would “get on top of this situation”.
The President said that millions of gallons of water and millions of tonnes of food were on their way to the affected areas.
The President is due to leave the White House on Friday to tour the areas affected by the hurricane.
Initial estimates indicate that around 90,000 sq miles have been affected by Hurricane Katrina.
There are as yet no casualty figures available. Houston Astrodome, which has been taking in evacuees, had to close its doors after receiving 11,000 people.
(KMcA/SP)
It is unclear what caused the blasts, which occurred around 04:30 local time on Friday morning, although some reports have indicated that a chemical factory may have been involved and fires are raging at the scene.
Aid efforts are continuing in the city, which was devastated by Hurricane Katrina earlier in the week.
Thousands of people are feared dead, following the hurricane, which devastated parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida.
Around 80% of New Orleans remains under water and evacuations are still continuing across the city. Many of those left in the city are now believed to be without food and water.
It is understood that thousands of people have been evacuated from the New Orleans Superdome, where over 20,000 people are believed to have taken refuge. However, the relief work at the Superdome were suspended on Thursday, after shots were reportedly fired at a helicopter attempting to evacuate people.
And there are increasing reports of lawlessness in the city, where it is estimated that around 60,000 people are still stranded, many withut food and water. Widespread looting has been reported, as well as number of violent incidences including shootings, carjackings and rapes.
Additional troops are being sent into the city, in order to try and control the disorder.
Governor of Louisiana Kathleen Blanco said on Friday that "battle-tested" National Guard were being deployed with "locked and loaded" M16s. She said: "These troops know how to shoot and kill, and I expect they will."
The US Senate has approved $10.5 billion of aid for the region. However, President George Bush has come under increasing criticism for his handling of the situation, with critics, including New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, saying that the aid effort has been too slow.
President Bush admitted on Friday that the initial aid effort was “not acceptable”, but he pledged that the government would “get on top of this situation”.
The President said that millions of gallons of water and millions of tonnes of food were on their way to the affected areas.
The President is due to leave the White House on Friday to tour the areas affected by the hurricane.
Initial estimates indicate that around 90,000 sq miles have been affected by Hurricane Katrina.
There are as yet no casualty figures available. Houston Astrodome, which has been taking in evacuees, had to close its doors after receiving 11,000 people.
(KMcA/SP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
06 September 2005
Hurricane Katrina – nearly one hundred Britons still missing
The Foreign Office has confirmed that 96 Britons are still unaccounted for following Hurricane Katrina. The number has dropped from an initial report listing around 150 people as some of those missing were were eventually traced, following last week’s hurricane, which devastated parts of Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi.
Hurricane Katrina – nearly one hundred Britons still missing
The Foreign Office has confirmed that 96 Britons are still unaccounted for following Hurricane Katrina. The number has dropped from an initial report listing around 150 people as some of those missing were were eventually traced, following last week’s hurricane, which devastated parts of Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi.
01 September 2005
New Orleans relief work could take years
Hurricane Katrina may have passed, but for many in New Orleans, the situation is far from over. US authorities are struggling to rescue people trapped on rooftops and it is feared that hundreds may have lost their lives in the catastrophe.
New Orleans relief work could take years
Hurricane Katrina may have passed, but for many in New Orleans, the situation is far from over. US authorities are struggling to rescue people trapped on rooftops and it is feared that hundreds may have lost their lives in the catastrophe.
29 May 2009
Widespread Use Of Aspirin Slammed
A new study in The Lancet medical journal has found that healthy people who take aspirin reduced their already small risk of heart attack or stroke by just 12%. However, the small risk of internal bleeding increased by a third.
Widespread Use Of Aspirin Slammed
A new study in The Lancet medical journal has found that healthy people who take aspirin reduced their already small risk of heart attack or stroke by just 12%. However, the small risk of internal bleeding increased by a third.
01 September 2008
Briton To 'Weather' Hurricane Gustav, Despite Warnings
As thousands flee New Orleans, amid the rumbles of Hurricane Gustav nearing the Gulf Coast, one British pub owner has remained resolute, and pledged to stay in the city.
Briton To 'Weather' Hurricane Gustav, Despite Warnings
As thousands flee New Orleans, amid the rumbles of Hurricane Gustav nearing the Gulf Coast, one British pub owner has remained resolute, and pledged to stay in the city.
23 September 2005
Bus blaze kills elderly passengers fleeing 'Rita'
As the mass evacuation from the encroaching hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico continued, a bus fire was reported to have killed at least 24 elderly people fleeing the area on Friday. The bus was destroyed in the blaze which caused a massive tailback on already congested main Interstate route just south of Dallas.
Bus blaze kills elderly passengers fleeing 'Rita'
As the mass evacuation from the encroaching hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico continued, a bus fire was reported to have killed at least 24 elderly people fleeing the area on Friday. The bus was destroyed in the blaze which caused a massive tailback on already congested main Interstate route just south of Dallas.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
