National News
Nicole Moreland
Issue date: 10/8/01 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Jordan returns
Three years after he left the game for the second time in his career, Michael Jordan is back. On Sept. 25, Jordan announced his two-year contract with the Washington Wizards, the team he owned prior to his comeback. Although the Wizards' record was 19-63 last season, Jordan said he looks forward to playing with players who used to work for him. "I am especially excited about the Washington Wizards and I'm convinced we have the foundation on which to build a playoff-contention team,î he said. Jordan said he intends to donate his first yearís salary to relief efforts for the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Jordan won 10 scoring titles and is the NBA's fourth all-time leading scorer with 29,277 points. He has averaged a league-record 31.5 points per regular season game throughout his career and 33.4 in the playoffs.
Molecule destroys cancer
Scientists at Yale University have developed a molecule that can destroy cancer. In laboratory tests on mice, the molecule--called icon--killed tumors by destroying the blood vessels that feed them. This molecule also caused the cancer cells to reproduce copies of icon, which spread through the body and attacked other cancers. Scientists and developers of the molecule, Alan Garen and Zhiwei Hu, while excited about the discovery, still hold reservations about the success in humans. "From mice to men, that is a big jump. Until the trial is done with patients you canít be sure," Garen said. The animal tests have worked on prostate cancer and melanoma in mice, and the first human experiments will focus on melanoma that has spread throughout the body. The first trials in humans are planned for next year.
Reagan National airport reopened
Reagan National airport was back in business Thursday after President Bush announced earlier last week that "it was time to start flying again." Passengers going through the airport can expect heightened security measures. Federal air marshals will be on every flight in and out of the airport. Passengers will be screened twice, and flights will be varied to keep planes farther from the district. However, the airport will not be fully operational. Only a couple of airlines will be available, such as Delta and United, and only limited destinations will be offered. The airport employs more than 10,000 people and contributes billions of dollars in business revenue to the local economy, officials say. About 15.9 million passengers -- 42,000 a day -- used the airport in 2000.
Palestinian professor receives death threat
Dr. Sami Al-Arian, professor at South Florida University in Tampa, was put on paid leave after receiving a death threat. Al-Arian, a Palestinian, was questioned on the Fox News program "The O'Reilly Factor" about his connection to "two suspected terrorists. Al-Arian denied knowing anything about the menís connection to terrorism, and said that he knew them only as academics. While Al-Arian has not been charged with a crime, the university did put him on paid leave. According to Judy Genshaft, president of the university, the decision was made so the school could review safety and security policies, and that Al-Arian would be returned when it was deemed safe. Al-Arian founded the World and Islam Studies Enterprises. This think tank was at the university until 1995 when the FBI, after accusing the think tank of fundraising for terrorists, dissolved the group.
Three years after he left the game for the second time in his career, Michael Jordan is back. On Sept. 25, Jordan announced his two-year contract with the Washington Wizards, the team he owned prior to his comeback. Although the Wizards' record was 19-63 last season, Jordan said he looks forward to playing with players who used to work for him. "I am especially excited about the Washington Wizards and I'm convinced we have the foundation on which to build a playoff-contention team,î he said. Jordan said he intends to donate his first yearís salary to relief efforts for the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Jordan won 10 scoring titles and is the NBA's fourth all-time leading scorer with 29,277 points. He has averaged a league-record 31.5 points per regular season game throughout his career and 33.4 in the playoffs.
Molecule destroys cancer
Scientists at Yale University have developed a molecule that can destroy cancer. In laboratory tests on mice, the molecule--called icon--killed tumors by destroying the blood vessels that feed them. This molecule also caused the cancer cells to reproduce copies of icon, which spread through the body and attacked other cancers. Scientists and developers of the molecule, Alan Garen and Zhiwei Hu, while excited about the discovery, still hold reservations about the success in humans. "From mice to men, that is a big jump. Until the trial is done with patients you canít be sure," Garen said. The animal tests have worked on prostate cancer and melanoma in mice, and the first human experiments will focus on melanoma that has spread throughout the body. The first trials in humans are planned for next year.
Reagan National airport reopened
Reagan National airport was back in business Thursday after President Bush announced earlier last week that "it was time to start flying again." Passengers going through the airport can expect heightened security measures. Federal air marshals will be on every flight in and out of the airport. Passengers will be screened twice, and flights will be varied to keep planes farther from the district. However, the airport will not be fully operational. Only a couple of airlines will be available, such as Delta and United, and only limited destinations will be offered. The airport employs more than 10,000 people and contributes billions of dollars in business revenue to the local economy, officials say. About 15.9 million passengers -- 42,000 a day -- used the airport in 2000.
Palestinian professor receives death threat
Dr. Sami Al-Arian, professor at South Florida University in Tampa, was put on paid leave after receiving a death threat. Al-Arian, a Palestinian, was questioned on the Fox News program "The O'Reilly Factor" about his connection to "two suspected terrorists. Al-Arian denied knowing anything about the menís connection to terrorism, and said that he knew them only as academics. While Al-Arian has not been charged with a crime, the university did put him on paid leave. According to Judy Genshaft, president of the university, the decision was made so the school could review safety and security policies, and that Al-Arian would be returned when it was deemed safe. Al-Arian founded the World and Islam Studies Enterprises. This think tank was at the university until 1995 when the FBI, after accusing the think tank of fundraising for terrorists, dissolved the group.