Traces of the deadly toxin ricin were found on Monday, February 2 in the mailroom of Senator Bill Frist in Washington, DC. Ricin, a white powder similar in appearance to anthrax, can be just as fatal, though none of Sen. Frists' aides who might have been exposed have shown any sign of illness. The Senate offices were quickly reopened, and no further incidents or traces of the toxin have been reported.
Five flights to US cities canceled for 'security reasons'
Three British Airways and two Air France flights were canceled on Friday, January 30, in the interest of 'security concerns.' The flights, bound for Washington, DC, Miami, and an "unspecified US city," were supposedly potential targets for al Quaeda members seeking to attack the United States. No further details were provided by officials in any of the involved airlines or governments.
Kerry, Edwards, Clark win in primary elections
Democratic presidential hopefuls John Kerry, John Edwards and Wesley Clark each won victories in the primaries held on Tuesday, February 3. Kerry, who has previously won in Iowa and New Hampshire, was the big winner of the day, taking Arizona, Delaware, Missouri, New Mexico, and North Dakota. Edwards won in his home state of South Carolina, and General Clark edged out Edwards to win in Oklahoma. Joe Lieberman dropped out the race after not winning a single victory thus far.
UN warns of humanitarian crisis in Colombia
Kamel Morjane, Assistant UN High Commissioner for Refugees, warned on Wednesday, February 4 of a refugee crisis in Colombia. The country, gripped in a civil war that has been going on for nearly 40 years, has caused between two and three million people to be forced from their homes. The Colombian refugee crisis is being called "one of, if not the worst humanitarian crisis in the western hemisphere."
