Two Acquitted Over Katrina Deaths

The owners of a nursing home where 35 people drowned during the Hurricane Katrina disaster have been acquitted of all charges by a Louisiana jury. They faced 35 counts of negligent homicide and 24 counts of cruelty for not evacuating the premises as the storm approached. Patients drowned, some in their beds, as the hurricane swept through the area in August 2005. Hurricane Katrina claimed almost 1700 lives in Louisiana and Mississippi.

Niger Rebels Kill 17 Soldiers

Rebels in northern Niger say they have killed 17 government soldiers. The Niger Movement for Justice (MNJ) says its forces attacked a large military convoy at Gougaram, destroying several vehicles. Niger's army chief is reported to have said one soldier died in an accident. He added that four were injured by a land mine and three wounded in clashes.

Attacks in Somalia

A string of attacks killed at least 13 people around southern Somalia, where government troops and their Ethiopian allies are battling Islamist insurgents, witnesses and officials said. The area has seen little peace since December, when the Ethiopian troops supporting Somalia's fragile government drove out a radical Islamic group that had seized control. They, in turn, vowed to wage an Iraq style guerrilla war until the country becomes an Islamic state.

Pakistan Militant Cleric Killed

A militant Pakistani cleric and about 50 of his supporters have been killed after troops stormed a mosque in Islamabad. Abdul Rashid Ghazi's body was found in the Red Mosque basement. Officials say he had been caught in the crossfire. The army says eight soldiers were also killed in the military operation, and about 50 women and children rescued. Students at the mosque and its attached religious schools have waged a campaign for months pressing for Sharia law.

Somali Children Die In Mine Blast

There were five children playing with a land mine in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu. The device exploded and they were all killed. They ranged from six to 12 years of age and were playing football before they found it. One of them picked it up and threw it against a wall. They were on their way to mosque for Friday prayers when they stopped to play.

Three Dead in Wildfire

There are three dead in a wildfire that moved across eastern Utal. It was fast-burning and two men who were working in a hay field and a third man died overnight from injuries he sustained in the blaze. A 43 year old man and his 63 year old father were working in the field in the afternoon when they were caught by the fire. Both died Friday. Another man who was injured in the fire died overnight. They were not sure if the third man was with the other two or not. Very sad. It seems what isn't being flooded in the U.S. is being burned by fires. It's a bad year so far.

Is Hurricane Katrina Still Killing?

Even though dead bodies are no longer being dragged from homes in New Orleans, people in the medical profession feel that two years later, people are still being killed by Katrina. Both psychological and physical stress are causing storm survivors to die, along with affects of dust and mold that are still in the dwellings. Financial problems, fear of crime, are also causing health problems for people. A coroner in New Orleans said there was no doubt in his mind that Katrina is still killing the residents. Of course, people with pre-existing conditions are taking it hardest along with the elderly who are just giving up. The ratio has jumped from 11.3 per 1,000 deaths to 14.3 per 1,000, a 25 percent increase. And this doesn't take into account avacuees who died while away from the city and were returned for burial. Sad isn't it? And I think it is one of those things you can do little about, just watch.

Fatal Blaze Challenges Attitudes

There has been a real building boom of homes on the fringe of the wilderness. Last year a blaze killed five federal firefighters and it has challenged their attitudes about saving homes built out on the edge of the wilderness. Those five were killed last fall while trying to save an empty mountain vacation home from the Esperanza fire. That fire was started by a 36 year old auto mechanic now charged with murder. As another fire season approaches, Tom Harbour, national director of fire and aviation management for the Forest Service said, "We are not going to die for property. It's time for homeowners to take responsibility for the protection of their homes". I have to agree, how about you?