Wildfires continue to burn in the Santa Barbara, California area. At least eighty homes have burned to the ground so far. Eight thousand, six-hundred acres have been burned, and thirty thousand people have been evacated from the area. The fire is only 10% under control. The winds calm down and then something called the Sundowner winds pick up and the fires start to burn out of control again. There are now twenty-five hundred fire-fighters battling the blazes, along with 16 aircraft. There is a five mile wide, burning trail of fire, reportedly moving in both directions.
Thousands of Pakistani people are pleading with officials to allow a pause in the fighting, between the Pakistan Army and the Taliban, so that they can leave the area where the fighting is taking place. A million people may be displaced due to the conflict.
The Director of the White House Military Office, Louis Caldera, tendered his resignation, to President Obama. His
office was in charge of carrying out the fly over by an Air Force One look alike plane in New York City, over the Statute of Liberty, which frightened many New Yorkers. No one thought to tell New York officials that they would be
flying the plane over the city.
The Department of Interior has announced that the Crown of the Statue of Liberty will re-open on July fourth, to the public.
President Obama announced new plans, to allow those who are collecting unemployment compensation, to attend school to improve their employment skills. The rules did not allow that, previous to his announced change.
The "stress test" results for the largest banks is reportedly favorable, none of the banks are insolvent, but ten of them will need to raise more capital to stay afloat during the recession, especially if it deepens, according to reports.
Drew Peterson's arraignment has been postponed until May 18, he will spend the next ten days in jail, unless he posts two million dollars for bail.
The U. S. job loss total for April was reported at 539 thousand, less than previous months, although part of the reason was that the Federal Government hired 70 thousand people to take the census. Unemployment still climbed to 8.9%.
Pope Benedict arrived in Jordan, starting an eight day trip, which will include four days in Israel.
The jockey who rode "Mine That Bird" to victory in the Kentucky Derby, will not be riding him in the Preakness. He will be riding another horse, reportedly called "Rachel Alexandra".
The star of "24", Keifer Sutherland, was arraigned in a New York precinct, for allegedly head butting a fashion designer in a Manhattan nightclub. No word on disposition.
Hong Kong lifted a quarantine on a hotel there, allowing over two-hundred people to leave. A Mexican individual, with the swine flu, had stayed in the hotel, triggering the quarantine.
At the urging of the United States, Pakistan has launched a new offensive against the Taliban on the border region. The Pakistan military reports that over 100 Taliban fighters have been killed in bombings.
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