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Tuesday, August 26, 1986 / University Daily Kansan
News Briefs West Africa death toll at 1,200 after volcano spews toxic gas
YAOUNDE, Cameroon — President Paul Biya announced yesterday that at least 1,200 villagers were killed when toxic gas burst from a lake and belled into the skies over a remote mountain region.
At a news conference at the presidential palace, Biya said the explosion occurred Friday without warning. About 300 villagers were in the area around Lake Nios, located 250 miles northwest of Yaounde, the capital of the western Africa country of Cameroon.
He gave the casualty toll on his return from a visit to Bemenda, the regional capital located about 40 miles south of the disaster site.
"There are 1,200 deaths, 300 injured and the surrounding population has been evacuated," Biya said. He said rescuers in the stricken area reported the 1,200 figure.
The president, who spent part of his day meeting with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres, called the disaster a "national calamity" and said the death toll could increase.
The gas has stopped leaking from Lake Nios, but the cloud of gas hasn't completely dissipated into the atmosphere. Relief teams from five countries have reached the area and are administering aid, Biya said.
Scientists haven't yet determined what kind of gas was spewed from the lake.
Frontier closer to bankruptcy
DENVER — Frontier Airlines — shut down by parent company People Express after months of losses — moved closer to bankruptcy when talks to revive a stalled merger with United Airlines broke off early yesterday.
People Express said in closing Frontier on Sunday that it would seek bankruptcy protection for the carrier unless the talks in Chicago among United, the union for Frontier and United pilots cleared the way for a merger.
A deal to sell Frontier to United for $146 million fell apart when United could not agree with the Air Line Pilots Association on how soon Frontier pilots would achieve wage parity with United pilots after a merger.
Talks between United and ALPA resumed Sunday but broke off at 2 a.m. yesterday without an agreement, said Matt Gonring, a spokesman for United. No new talks were scheduled, he said.
Official warns of classroom crack
HILTON HEAD, S.C. — The nation's governors were told yesterday an epidemic of crack — cocaine's deadly concentrate — will sweep through the nation's classrooms within weeks.
The drug crisis is so serious that several governors suggested the military be mobilized to seal the U.S. borders against an invasion of airborne drug smugglers.
"The emergence of crack is the most insidious thing to happen to the United States except war," Robert Dempsey, commissioner of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, told the National Governors' Association.
"We are at war," he said. "We are being invaded by a substance that is killing thousands of Americans every year."
Crack is a purified, concentrated form of cocaine ingested by smoking the vapors given off as the drug is heated.
"If the epidemic hasn't hit your state yet, it's on the way." Dempsey said. "The people who have been using it all summer will bring it into the schools this fall, showing their friends how easy it is to use.
- showing their friends how easy it is to use.
"They are lying on slabs in morgues all over this country, and because their names are not Len Bias or John Belushi you haven't heard of them."
KOKOMO, Ind. — Teenage AIDS victim Ryan White, who spent more time in court battles than in the classroom last year, started the eighth grade yesterday without incident.
Ind. AIDS victim returns to class
There were no protests outside the school as White, 14. arrived for 8 a.m. classes at West High School.
Parents opposing his presence in the school say they will ask the Indiana Legislature to establish a policy about students who have acquired immune deficiency syndrome and who are attending regular schools.
White arrived by bus at the school near Kokomo, north of Indianapolis. He was greeted by a handful of reporters and photographers, but did not speak to anyone and headed straight to his locker to prepare for his first class.
Instead of attending class in person last year, White was linked with the school by a telephone-computer arrangement.
White, who contracted AIDS in December 1984 while being treated for hemophilia, won his right to be just another student in a regular classroom setting in the spring after a series of court battles which started last year.
China may test visitors for AIDS
PEKING — China is expected to pass a law that would force foreign visitors who plan to remain in the country for more than six months to undergo medical examinations for AIDS and other diseases, the China Daily newspaper said yesterday.
Chinese public health officials are concerned about the introduction of acquired immune deficiency syndrome by foreign visitors.
An Argentine tourist who died of the disease while visiting China in June 1985 is the only known case so far in the country.
A draft law that would require foreigners that plan to stay in the country for more than six months to undergo medical exams for AIDS and other diseases
will be submitted to the National People's Congress for approval later this week.
"It is intended to prevent infectious diseases from spreading both inside and outside China from seaports, airports and exit and entry stations along borders." China Daliy said.
WEST PITTSTON, Pa. — A demonologist who says he has records that prove a West Pittston house is haunted failed to produce the evidence yesterday at a news conference that turned into a shouting match.
Edward Warren, director of the New England Society for Psychic Research, said the evidence of demonic infestation of Jack and Janet Smurl's house will not be released to the public until it is reviewed by the Roman Catholic Church.
"Show us something," the reporter said. "Give us something to go with."
"We're giving you everything you're going to get," Warren replied. "But we really don't have to give you anything."
For the last 18 months, the Smurri and their four daughters have been living with what they say are demons who physically abuse them, make strange noises and create unusual odors.
At a news conference outside the family's duplex, a reporter challenged Warren to produce evidence of activity in the home.
Brazil wants 'Cobra' off screens
"The old regulations are no longer adequate under the policy of opening to the outside world."
Evidence of demons withheld
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil — The government is trying to ban the movie "Cobra," starring Sylvester Stallone, because it considers the film too violent, the justice ministry said yesterday.
Justice Minister Paulo Brossard ordered federal censors to reconsider permission for the film to be shown, a ministry spokesman said.
GET STARTED RIGHT THIS SEMESTER!
ACADEMIC SKILL ENHANCEMENT WORKSHOP
Covering: Time Management
Study Reading
Listening and Notetaking
FREE
wednesday, August 27
From Kansan wires.
Wednesday, August 2
6:30 to 9:00 p.m.
300 Strong Hall
Presented by the Student Assistance Center
Take TIME OUT
K. U.'s Biggest Beer
AND
34 oz. $1
Every Thursday
Hamburger 50¢
K. U.'s Best Burger
Hamburger 50¢
After 10 p.m.
After 10 p.m.
1 block South of 23rd St. on Iowa St.
University Photography has been serving the KU market for over 14 years and we're looking forward to serving you again this year!!!
CALL US FOR YOUR NEXT PARTY!!! 843-5279
"Official 1986-87 Yearbook Photographer"
New Location: 1601 W.23rd.Southern Hills Mall
- We welcome those with poor driving history
INSURANCE PROBLEMS? MILLER INSURANCE AGENCY
KU STUDENTS THE KANSAS CITY STAR/ Times
morning evening Sunday
843-0511
- Renter's insurance is available for those off campus
1424 W. 23rd St.
- We work with out of state drivers
- We specialize in working with young drivers
This price includes consideration for non-delivery when classes are suspended for holidays, breaks and other periods when service is not requested. The offer becomes effective Aug. 21 and expires Dec. 19, 1986. DELIVERY TO BEGIN WITHIN 3 WORKING DAYS OF PAYMENT which can be made in person at the local office at
ADDRESS: ___
NEWSPAPER has a Special Student Discount Rate
$20.80
NAME: ___
PHONE: ___
DATE: ___
932 Mass. St., Lawrence, KS, 843-1611.
HALF PRICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FALL SEMESTER - 86 Aug. 21 to Dec. 19, 1986
STUDENT ID: ___
SIGNED: ___
SIXTY·YEARS·AND·GETTING·BETTER
The Oread Book Shop, previously located on level three of the Kansas Union, has been moved to level four as a result of the renovation at the Union.
The Oread will remain in this temporary location for two years until it is moved to a new, permanent location on level two of the Kansas Union.
For more information about the Union renovation, please inquire at the Information Counters at either the Kansas or Burge Unions.
Level 4, Kansas Union
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