Lieberman’s challenger takes stronger lead in polls
Hartford, Conn. – Democratic challenger Ned Lamont, riding strong opposition to the war in Iraq, has surged into the lead over Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., in Tuesday’s Senate primary, according to a newly released Quinnipiac University poll.
Lamont leads Lieberman 54 percent to 41 percent in the poll and now has clear momentum over the three-term incumbent and former Democratic vice-presidential nominee.
The findings represent a setback for Lieberman, who claimed earlier this week that a July 24 visit by former President Bill Clinton had turned around his campaign.
Lieberman has been sliding throughout the summer as Lamont’s candidacy has picked up energy and support. In June, the Quinnipiac poll showed Lieberman leading, 55 percent to 40 percent. Shortly before Clinton’s visit, the poll found Lamont edging ahead, 51 percent to 47 percent.
Lieberman has only a handful of days to reverse the trends if he hopes to salvage the Democratic nomination. He has said he plans to run as an independent if he loses to Lamont on Tuesday, but a landslide rejection by members of his own party could complicate his hopes of running a successful third-party candidacy.
KINGSTON, Jamaica
Collapse kills worker, injures 16 at resort
Firefighters searched for bodies or survivors Thursday after a part of a huge resort under construction in northern Jamaica collapsed, killing one worker and injuring 16, police said.
The collapse Wednesday was the latest misfortune to hit the Bahia Principe, a 1,918-room hotel in Runaway Bay planned to be Jamaica’s largest resort.
It wasn’t clear whether any workers were missing. Police said eight of the injured have been released from the hospital.
Engineers will inspect the damage to determine when work on the $200 million project can resume, said George Ho Sang, head of public works in St. Ann Parish.
REGINA, Saskatchewan
Pedophile charged in boys’ abduction
A convicted pedophile arrested after a two-day manhunt in rural western Canada was charged Thursday with abducting two boys and sexually assaulting them at his farm hide-out.
Peter Whitmore, 35, scowled and stared straight ahead during a brief appearance in provincial court.
He was arrested Wednesday after a 10-hour standoff with police at an abandoned farmhouse in the western province of Saskatchewan. The two boys, 10 and 14, were returned safely to their parents.
The Ontario man, who has a history of sex attacks on children dating back more than a decade, faces charges including abduction, sexual assault causing bodily harm and forcible confinement.
SEOUL
Hiatus possible in N. Korea missile tests
North Korea may have removed a long-range missile from a launch site, lowering the possibility of the communist regime immediately carrying out further tests, a South Korean official said Friday.
Intelligence reports have said North Korea may have moved two long-range Taepodong-2 missiles to its Musudan-ri launch site on its east coast before test-firing one of them July 5.
Fresh intelligence suggests the remaining missile may have been moved somewhere else, a government official said on condition of anonymity. But the intelligence is not conclusive and needs further confirmation, he said.
The JoongAng Ilbo newspaper carried a similar report, saying satellite images show the missile disappeared from the launch site in mid-July.
PHOENIX
Walker’s slaying linked to serial killer
The death of a woman who was gunned down while walking has been linked to a serial killer believed responsible for dozens of random shootings across metropolitan Phoenix.
Mesa police Sgt. Chuck Trapani said the weekend death of Robin Blasnek, 22, was linked to earlier cases because of similarities and limited forensic evidence.
Authorities say the so-called “Serial Shooter” is responsible for three dozen shootings of people and animals.
The shootings generally happen late at night, with no witnesses. Seventeen people have been wounded since May 2005, in addition to the six deaths.
HOOSICK, N.Y.
Fire kills 3 kids, father who attempted rescue
Fire tore through a home in this rural town, killing three children and their father, who had rushed back into the flames to try to save the youngsters, authorities said.
The blaze broke out shortly before 11 p.m. Wednesday in a two-story home nestled amid tall pines outside the village of Hoosick Falls, near the Vermont line, about 25 miles northeast of Albany.
