News this morning -:- 04/07/02

Briton ‘killed in Portugal air crash’

A British tourist has died after a light airplane crashed in bad weather in Portugal, according to diplomatic sources.
The Briton, believed to part of a group of Rotary Club members on a tour of Europe, died along with two Australians and one American when their plane crashed shortly after take-off from the seaside resort of Cascais, nine miles (15km) west of the capital Lisbon, on Wednesday morning.

Rescue workers found the wreckage later that evening in the Sintra mountains north west of the capital, the Portuguese Lusa news agency said.

And on Thursday, a source at the British Embassy in Lisbon said one Briton was among four people killed in the crash.

The pilot had contacted air traffic control 20 minutes after the aircraft took off at 1153 local time (0953 GMT) on Wednesday to say he would be returning to Cascais due to the bad conditions, the Lusa news agency reported.

The Portuguese air force said other aircraft reported poor visibility at the time the British aircraft went missing, Portuguese TV station SIC Noticias reported.

The pilot did not make any other attempt to contact air traffic controllers.

The plane, which had arrived from Spain earlier on Wednesday, was part of a group of 22 light aircraft transporting Rotarians on a tour of Europe, Lusa said, quoting a spokesman of Portugal’s air traffic authority.

The plane had started its European tour in Britain.

Mouth of Hell

The Foreign Office said it was trying to check the reports.

A spokesman said: “We have heard the reports but we have got no confirmation of them at this stage.”

Cascais, on the Estoril Coast of Portugal, is a former fishing village popular with British tourists.

It is famous for the Boca do Inferno, or Mouth of Hell, where the sea roars into the coastline.

Cascais is a few miles from the resort town of Estoril, noted for its casino, Grand Prix racetrack and golf course.

There are more than 59,000 Rotary Club members in the UK and Ireland in 1,816 clubs.

Members undertake voluntary projects to help improve their local communities and have the right to attend any one of the clubs in 163 countries worldwide.

Typhoon hits Taipei

At least 1000 passengers are trapped in Taipei due to Typhoon Ramasuun. On Wednesday night, rare and severe turbulant hit Taipei, causing airplanes cancelling departure or diverting.

An Air Macau A320 and EVA Airways (744) returned to Macau and Hong Kong after attempting to land twice. China Airlines from Bangkok diverted to Kaohsiung. Cathay Pacific flew back to Hong Kong around midnight after trying to land 3 times.

The severe turbulant occured around 1 to 2 knots at the head of the runway, wind gusts up to 25 to 35 knots. Severe turbulant was observed in the middle section of the runway.

US beefs up Fourth of July security

Military jets are set to patrol the skies, while thousands of extra police, troops and FBI agents are deployed across the United States to protect Americans celebrating Independence Day.
It is the biggest security operation ever mounted on a Fourth of July and follows a warning that terror groups might try to stage attacks to coincide with the holiday, nearly 10 months after the devastating attacks of 11 September.

On the eve of Independence Day, the White House sought to reassure the American public, describing the measures as precautionary and saying there had been no specific threats.

President George W Bush’s spokesman, Ari Fleischer, urged Americans to celebrate the holiday as usual.

But more than half of Americans believe an attack is likely, according to a poll published by the magazine Newsweek last week.

Variety of actions

On Tuesday, the US State Department said it had “credible” information that terrorists were planning imminent attacks against American targets around the world.

Attacks could include suicide missions and kidnappings, and US citizens and officials have been warned to be on their guard.

Terrorists could turn to soft targets – such as churches, restaurants and clubs – as security is intensified at higher-profile places, officials said.

The Homeland Security Council will monitor more than 2,000 events throughout the country, staying in touch with officials on the ground, Mr Fleischer said.

“A variety of actions are being taken on the ground in terms of greater resources, greater surveillance, greater protection, greater prevention,” he added.

As well as patrolling the skies above America’s major cities, forces have been deployed to protect power stations, water supplies, bridges, tunnels and airports.

The measures also include a new network of security cameras to monitor crowds in front of Capitol Hill, and special security checkpoints for those wanting to watch New York’s traditional fireworks display.

Celebrating abroad

In Afghanistan, US forces are preparing to hold low-key celebrations with barbecues, volleyball and music, but no fireworks.

Security around the perimeter of Bagram air base, their Afghan headquarters, will be tightened.

In Asia, Americans also plan to celebrate the holiday with a mix of official receptions, parties and picnics, under the shadow of increased security.

“When we gather together as Americans… I am sure that this year’s event will carry special meaning,” Roy Tomizawa, a New York teacher in Bangkok, Thailand, told Reuters news agency.

In Other News

Tanker on way to Britian

A tanker has left China on way to Britian carrying Nuclear waste. The tanker is said to be a possible target for Terrorist Attack. There are no reports of it being guarded in any form and it could be septable to an aircraft attack