Obama: Situation in Haiti remains 'dire'

President Obama said Wednesday that living conditions in Haiti remain "dire," despite recovery efforts since the Jan. 12 earthquake. He was joined at his White House speech by Haitian President Rene Preval, who called for improvements to the United Nations' disaster response. "People should be under no illusions that the crisis is over," Mr. Obama said during the Rose Garden ceremony. "Many Haitians are still in need -- desperate need in some cases -- of shelter and food and medicine. And with the spring rains approaching, those needs will only grow. The challenge now is to prevent a second disaster." ...

Email
Read more [Washington Times - National]

Obama renews support for quake-hit Haiti

President Obama on Wednesday renewed America's commitment to the recovery and reconstruction of earthquake-devastated Haiti, telling visiting President Rene Preval he knows the crisis has not passed. After an Oval Office meeting, Mr. Obama stood beside Mr. Preval in the White House Rose Garden to praise the Haitian leader's courage and the heroic work of Americans who rushed to help as rescue workers or with generous donations. Mr. Obama said the challenge now was "to prevent a second disaster" with the start of the rainy season in a country where masses of people are without shelter. "The situation on the ...

Email
Read more [Washington Times - National]

Obama's day: The president of Haiti and a trip to St. Louis - USA Today

USA Today

Obama's day: The president of Haiti and a trip to St. Louis USA Today Good morning from The Oval. On this day in 1785, Thomas Jefferson was appointed minister to France, replacing Benjamin Franklin. A morning set of White House meetings include Haitian President Rene Preval to discuss earthquake recovery. ... St. Charles Prepares For Presidential VisitFOX2now.com President in Missouri Today for Health PlanOzarks First Obama talks health care reform during Wednesday St. Louis stopSt. Louis Globe-Democrat KOAM-TV -Bizjournals.com -Chicago Sun-Times (blog) all 21 news articles »

Haiti frees U.S. missionary

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Haitian authorities have released one of the last two U.S. Baptist missionaries jailed for trying to take orphans out of the country after the earthquake. Charisa Coulter left her cell Monday accompanied staff of the U.S. Embassy. The Idaho woman was arrested Jan. 29 with nine other Americans while trying to leave Haiti with 33 children without the proper documents. They say they were trying to help orphans after the earthquake. Eight of the Americans had been already been released. Still in custody is their leader, Laura Silsby.

Email
Read more [Washington Times - National]

Mandelblit: Beware of Earthquake Charity Scams

Read more [Newsmax - US]

Clinton brings phones, promises to Chile

SANTIAGO, Chile -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton made a small dent in Chile's growing needs following a massive earthquake, handing over 25 satellite phones while promising more on Tuesday in the country's capital. "We stand ready to help in any way that the government of Chile asks us to. We want to help Chile, who has done so much to help others," Mrs. Clinton said during a brief visit that took her nowhere near areas with heavy damage. She spent most of her time at the airport, which appeared unscathed. Mrs. Clinton gave one of the phones ...

Email
Read more [Washington Times - National]

Tsunami swept away fleeing bus full of retirees

PELLUHUE, Chile (AP) -- The 40 retirees enjoying summer vacation at a seaside campground nestled under pine trees knew they had to move fast after Chile's powerful earthquake struck. They didn't make it. The tsunami came in three waves, surging 200 meters into this Pacific Ocean resort town and dragging away the bus they'd piled into, hoping to get to high ground. Most of those inside were tourists, and only five of their bodies had been found by Monday, firefighters and witnesses said. Pelluhue's horror underscored the destruction wrought by Saturday's pre-dawn 8.8-magnitude quake and the tsunami that ravaged communities ...

Email
Read more [Washington Times - National]

Clinton faces critical hosts in Latin America

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton added a last-minute stop in Argentina on Monday as part of her Latin American tour this week, amid complaints that she was ignoring countries critical of U.S. policies in the region. The State Department attributed the change to the difficulty of spending the night in Chile, as originally planned, because of the extensive damage caused by Saturday's 8.8 magnitude earthquake there. Mrs. Clinton, who is bringing satellite telephone equipment to Chile, will make a brief stop in the capital, Santiago, Tuesday morning. However, diplomats and analysts said, the choice of Argentina was no accident ...

Email
Read more [Washington Times - National]

Scientists defend tsunami warnings

HONOLULU -- The warning was ominous, its predictions dire: Oceanographers issued a bulletin telling Hawaii and other Pacific islands that a killer wave was heading their way with terrifying force and that "urgent action should be taken to protect lives and property." But the devastating tidal surge predicted after Chile's magnitude-8.8 earthquake for areas far from the epicenter never materialized. And by Sunday, authorities had lifted the warning after waves half the predicted size tickled the shores of Hawaii and tourists once again jammed beaches and restaurants. Scientists acknowledged they overstated the threat, but many defended their actions, saying they ...

Email
Read more [Washington Times - National]

Farrakhan slams 'white right' in Saviour's Day speech - Chicago Sun-Times

Farrakhan slams 'white right' in Saviour's Day speech Chicago Sun-Times Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan claims the "white right" is trying to make Barack Obama a one-term president. Speaking to an estimated 20000 followers of the black nationalist movement at the ... Farrakhan predicts 'white right' trouble for ObamaThe Associated Press Nation of Islam's Farrakhan cites earthquake, warns America: 'You will not escape'Chicago Tribune Farrakhan boasts his divine stature at conventionKWQC 6 ABC7Chicago.com -WQAD -NewsOK.com all 281 news articles »

Clinton meets Uruguay's new president

UPDATED: MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay -- Troops from Uruguay are regularly among U.N. peacekeeping forces deployed around the world, and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton hoped on Monday to persuade that country's new president to continue the support. Jose Mujica, a former guerrilla leader, is the latest leftist president to be elected to a Latin American country. Mrs. Clinton flew to Montevideo on Monday, beginning a tour of the region. She met with Mr. Mujica just hours before he's sworn in. Mrs. Clinton's five-nation weeklong trip is sure to focus on the earthquake in Chile, even as she tries to ...

Email
Read more [Washington Times - National]

Hawaii beaches normal after tsunami scare

UPDATED: HONOLULU -- Hawaii's peaceful beaches were again filled with sun-soaking tourists as life returned to normal Sunday following a scare from a tsunami that raced across the world, setting off mass evacuations and safety worries across the Pacific. In Waikiki, the beaches bustled as usual with families and tourists, children played in parks, Navy ships returned to Pearl Harbor, and the waves seemed as inviting as ever. As it turned out, the tsunami caused by Chile's devastating earthquake Saturday wasn't as dangerous or big as experts first feared. In Japan, the biggest wave hit the northern island of Hokkaido. ...

Email
Read more [Washington Times - National]

Tsunami magnitude difficult to predict - Los Angeles Times

The Hindu

Tsunami magnitude difficult to predict Los Angeles Times Scientists can usually pinpoint the arrival time of an earthquake-generated wave, such as the one caused by the temblor off Chile, but not its size. So they err on the side of caution. By Thomas H. Maugh II Scientists can do a very good job of tracking ... Japan evacuates northern coasts for tsunamiReuters Thousands Asked to Evacuate Japan's Coast Ahead of TsunamiWall Street Journal Tsunami spares US, takes aim at JapanThe Associated Press BBC News -Seattle Post Intelligencer -National Geographic all 8,968 news articles »

Hawaii returns to normal after tsunami scare - msnbc.com

The Business Insider

Hawaii returns to normal after tsunami scare msnbc.com Eugene Tanner / AP AP By Christopher Elliott Hawaii tourism officials hope the publicity churned up by the tsunami that struck the Aloha State Saturday afternoon won't keep visitors from coming to the island. The state has been struggling to recover ... Former Islander among those in Hawaii breathing a sigh of reliefSILive.com Idahoans speak about Hawaiian tsunami threatKTVB Michiganians in Hawaii head for higher groundThe Detroit News National Geographic -WBNG-TV -Oxford Press all 222 news articles »

Obama Urges Caution In Pacific, Citing Tsunami - NPR

Kansas City Star

Obama Urges Caution In Pacific, Citing Tsunami NPR AP President Barack Obama speaks to the media about the recent earthquake in Chili outside the Oval Office of the White House in Washington Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010. Obama said the United States has resources in position to deploy should Chile ask for ... President Obama is Monitoring Situation in ChileFOXNews (blog) U.S. ready to help Chile after earthquake: ObamaVancouver Sun Obama talks debt crisis with 2 Europe leadersThe Associated Press Mediaite.com -The Hill (blog) -Press Trust of India all 166 news articles »

TEXT: Obama says heed the tsunami warnings

REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT ON THE EARTHQUAKE IN CHILE 1:48 P.M. EST THE PRESIDENT: Good morning, everybody. Earlier today, a devastating earthquake struck the nation of Chile, affecting millions of people. This catastrophic event was followed by multiple aftershocks, and has prompted tsunami warnings across the Pacific Ocean. Earlier today, I was briefed by my national security team on the steps that we're taking to protect our own people, and to stand with our Chilean friends. Early indications are that hundreds of lives have been lost in Chile, and the damage is severe. On behalf of the American people, Michelle ...

Email
Read more [Washington Times - National]

Obama warns Americans to heed tsunami warnings - Houston Chronicle

Houston Chronicle

Obama warns Americans to heed tsunami warnings Houston Chronicle © 2010 AP Alex Brandon AP President Barack Obama speaks to the media about the recent earthquake in Chili outside the Oval Office of the White House in Washington Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010. Obama said the United States has resources in position to deploy ... President Obama is Monitoring Situation in ChileFOXNews (blog) Obama stands by Chile, vows to prepare for potential tsunamiCNN Political Ticker (blog) Obama: US ready to helpBartlesville Live Entertainment and Showbiz! -The Hill (blog) -Thaindian.com all 129 news articles »

Obama to visit Savannah in "Main Street" tour - Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

Christian Science Monitor

Obama to visit Savannah in "Main Street" tour Columbus Ledger-Enquirer AP The Savannah Morning News reports Saturday that the White House says Obama's visit will focus heavily on Savannah Technical College. Obama is scheduled to tour the college Tuesday morning before going to Hunter Army Airfield shortly before noon. ... President Obama's visit will focus on Savannah Technical CollegeSavannah Morning News New details on Obama's trip to SavannahWTOC Schedule for President Obama's Visit to SavannahWSAV-TV Creative Coast Initiative all 154 news articles »

Official: Hawaii 'dodged a bullet'

HONOLULU | With a rapt world watching the drama unfold on live television, a tsunami raced across a quarter of the globe on Saturday and set off fears of a repeat of the carnage that caught the world off guard in Asia in 2004. Japan was still bracing for the prospect of large waves, but the tsunami delivered nothing more than a glancing blow to the U.S. and South Pacific. The tsunami was spawned by a ferocious magnitude-8.8 earthquake in Chile that sent waves barreling north across the Pacific at the speed of a jetliner. But Pacific islands had ample ...

Email
Read more [Washington Times - National]

Huge quake hits Chile, spreads tsunami waves

UPDATED: ALCA, Chile (AP) -- One of the largest earthquakes ever recorded tore apart houses, bridges and highways in central Chile on Saturday and sent a tsunami racing halfway around the world. Chileans near the epicenter were tossed about as if shaken by a giant, and the head of the emergency agency said authorities believed at least 300 people were dead. The magnitude-8.8 quake was felt as far away as Sao Paulo in Brazil -- 1,800 miles (2,900 kilometers) to the east. The full extent of damage remained unclear as dozens of aftershocks -- one nearly as powerful as Haiti's ...

Email
Read more [Washington Times - National]

Small Quake Rattles California-Mexico Border

A magnitude-3.9 earthquake has rattled the California-Mexico border, but there are no immediate reports of damage or injuries.
Read more [FOX News - National]

Rare day in court - Mayor Newsom on the stand - San Francisco Chronicle

KCBS

Rare day in court - Mayor Newsom on the stand San Francisco Chronicle (02-23) 14:42 PST SAN FRANCISCO -- The day's first witness in Department 29 arrived in a dark blue suit, his hair slicked back, sipping a large cup of Starbucks green tea. He swore to tell the truth and spelled out his name - requirements of all ... City Hall Watch: Earthquake bond makes June ballotSan Francisco Examiner San Francisco mayor testifies at hacking trialSan Jose Mercury News CARLOS SANTANA – Winner of 2010 Mayor's Art AwardSanFranciscoSentinel.com The San Francisco Appeal -SFist -KCBS all 69 news articles »

Parents: All Haitian 'orphans' had relatives

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) -- Although a U.S. Baptist group said it was trying to rescue 33 "orphans" by taking them out of earthquake-ravaged Haiti, all the children have close family still alive, the Associated Press has found. A reporter's visit Saturday to the rubble-strewn Citron slum, where 13 of the children lived, led to their parents, all of whom said they turned their youngsters over to the missionary group voluntarily in hopes of getting them to safety. Similar explanations were given by parents in the mountain town of Callabas, outside Port-au-Prince, who told the AP on Feb. 3 that desperation ...

Email
Read more [Washington Times - National]

American Missionaries Tell Their Side of the Story

American missionaries who faced allegations of child trafficking in Haiti but were freed from jail described their trip to the earthquake-ravaged country as a simple humanitarian effort that left them even more concerned about the Haitian people.
Read more [FOX News - National]

American Airlines to resume Haitian flights Friday

DALLAS | American Airlines says it will resume regular flights to Haiti on Friday, the first commercial flights since the island nation was hit by an earthquake Jan. 12. American said Tuesday that its first flight into Port-au-Prince will leave Friday morning from Miami International Airport. The airline will operate three daily nonstop flights from Florida to Haiti, two from Miami and one from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. The airline said it also will offer a single flight four days a week from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport. American will use its Boeing 737 jets, which typically have ...

Email
Read more [Washington Times - National]