Transatlantic Times

Transatlantic Times March/April 2006

COVER STORY
Avian Flu Pandemic: Imminent?

A health hazard of huge magnitude is slowly gathering momentum in the Far East. We are referring to the much talked about Avian flu commonly known as Bird flu. With 45 deaths among humans to its credit, and millions of chickens destroyed thus far in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and many other Asian countries, the economic toll is causing havoc to the agricultural economies of those areas. Nothing however causes more apprehension worldwide, than the fear of a global pandemic. The concern is real and most of the countries that are affected are taking the possible spread very seriously.

ANALYSIS & COMMENTARY

the Adventures of Danny Mccain, an American born missionary in inland tribes in Nigeria.

Preaching to the President of Nigeria
By Danny Mccain

Greetings from Jos in Nigeria.
As some of you know, I have had a friendly relationship with Nigeria's head of state, President Olusegun Obasanjo, since he was in prison in Jos in 1995. I have had the privilege of being with him four or five times since he became president. I have been much closer to the chaplain of the Aso Rock Villa Chapel, the church inside the presidential villa where the president and other high government officials attend. Rev. Dr. William Okoye was the deputy chaplain to the president for six years or so but has been the substantive chaplain for the last eight months.
A couple of weeks ago, Dr. Okoye called me and asked me if I could come down to Abuja and preach at the Aso Rock Villa on March 5th. It is amazing how you can clear your schedule when you are asked to preach for the president.
I was happy that Mary was free and could go with me to this special occasion. Not only did I have the privilege of preaching in the chapel to the president and so many other top government officials, I also had the privilege of praying the "birthday prayer" for the president. In addition.......

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Ports buyer requests 45-day review of deal
UAE company seeks to avert conflict with Congress
Sunday, February 26, 2006; Posted: 8:57 p.m. EST (01:57 GMT)

(CNN) -- After an outcry from U.S. lawmakers over possible security risks, a company owned by the United Arab Emirates said Sunday it had asked for further review of its deal to buy management rights to terminals at major U.S. ports.

"We recognize that there are concerns regarding DP World's acquisition of P&O's U.S. terminal operations," Ted Bilkey, Dubai Ports World's chief operating officer, said in a statement.

"Despite having already obtained approval by the federal government, we continue to take voluntary steps to assure people that the security of the U.S. will not be harmed as a result of this acquisition."

The request for a 45-day investigation was made to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, which originally approved the deal. DP World said the Bush administration, members of Congress and port authorities also were welcome to seek additional information.

go to CNN for full story