9 Calif. farms the focus in E. coli probe

KASIE HUNT,
Associated Press Writer

Health authorities hunting the source of a nationwide E. coli outbreak are focusing on nine California farms after discovering what could be a crucial clue: an opened bag of spinach left in the refrigerator of someone sickened by the bacteria.

The bag of tainted Dole baby spinach is the "smoking gun" that has allowed investigators to zero in on three counties in California's greater Salinas Valley, said Dr. Mark Horton, the state public health officer. Authorities also were checking processing plants, Horton said.

Officials said consumers still shouldn't eat bagged spinach, even as they closed in on the source of the bacteria as likely somewhere in Monterey, San Benito or Santa Clara counties.

The bag of fresh spinach that tested positive for E. coli was found in New Mexico, and other bags recovered elsewhere in the country also were being tested.

"It's certainly premature to say only this bag is going to test positive," said Dr. David Acheson of the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. "There are others in the works."

New Mexico Department of Health officials confirmed the tainted bag of spinach was found after a person who ate some of the leafy greens became one of 146 people in 23 states sickened by the outbreak. One person has died.

The spinach tested positive for the same strain of E. coli linked to the outbreak, Acheson said. Dole is one of the brands of spinach recalled Friday by Natural Selection Foods LLC of San Juan Bautista, Calif.

The tainted greens — conventionally grown spinach and not organic — came from one of the farms that supplies spinach to Natural Selection, said Samantha Cabaluna, spokeswoman for Natural Selection.

Government and industry officials were working on how to allow spinach grown elsewhere back on the market, Acheson said.

New Jersey Democratic Sens. Robert Menendez and Frank R. Lautenberg urged the FDA to assure the public spinach grown in their state was safe.

"As the nation's fourth-largest spinach producer, spinach farming is a multimillion-dollar industry for the Garden State," Menendez said. "That is why we are imploring the FDA to move quickly in identifying the source of the infected spinach."

Investigators began visiting farms in the Salinas Valley on Tuesday, seeking signs of past flooding or cases in which contaminated surface areas had come into contact with crops. They also were looking for potential sources of bacteria inside packing plants.

California produces 74 percent of the nation's fresh spinach crop. The Salinas Valley accounts for roughly three-quarters of the state's share, and it has been the focus of the investigation. The area has links to both Natural Selection Foods and a second company that also recalled fresh spinach products, River Ranch Fresh Foods of Salinas.

A third company, RLB Food Distributors of West Caldwell, N.J., has recalled Balducci's and FreshPro brand spinach products distributed to East Coast states because some of the spinach could have come from Natural Selection Foods.

Arizona and Colorado on Wednesday joined the list of states reporting E. coli cases. The others are California, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Wisconsin has reported the most cases, as well as the lone death.

Among those sickened, 71 percent were women. Among those victims who could provide a date, they reported falling sick between Aug. 19 and Sept. 5, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

New Mexico's public health laboratory isolated E. coli from the bag of opened spinach and then completed "DNA fingerprinting" tests late Tuesday. State and federal officials then matched it to the strain of the bacteria — E. coli O157:H7 — implicated in the outbreak.

___

Associated Press writers Lisa Leff in San Juan Bautista, Calif., Paul Elias in San Francisco and Andrew Bridges in Washington contributed to this report.

___

On the Net:

FDA E. coli information: http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/spinach.html

Sphere: Related Content

Nigerian teen to take zero-gravity trip

KATHARINE HOURELD,
Associated Press Writer

Nigerian teen Stella Felix rises at 5 a.m. to do chores and then walks nearly an hour to school. She has to share textbooks with schoolmates because her parents can't afford to buy them and does homework by candlelight.

On Saturday, Felix will soar above all that from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on a special Boeing aircraft, becoming the first Nigerian to experience the weightlessness of space flight.

Felix is the first of many students the Houston-based Spaceweek International Association hopes to send on a zero-gravity flight as part of a program that aims to give people worldwide more access to space.

Felix was selected from more than 400 students who applied from the West African country. She will spend two hours on a modified Boeing 727 jet, which will soar six miles above the Earth before dropping, giving about a half-minute of weightlessness with each cycle.

"I feel like I'm an ambassador," the slim 17-year-old told The Associated Press in an interview Tuesday, a day before departing for the United States.

Running her hands down her black skirt, she added that many of her countrymen "thought (space) was only for whites. They don't know that a Nigerian can do it too."

Felix is the top student in her favorite subjects — physics and chemistry — at Moremi High School in the southern town of Ife. Most of her class of 60 are lucky to have one book to share between two students.

"At least we all have chairs," Felix said with a laugh.

Flight organizers said Felix was selected based on her performance at a several-day workshop in which applicants had to build models of rockets and satellites. She also fit the profile they were looking for — a girl between 15 and 18 from a poor family.

Nigeria's ruined infrastructure almost never supplies electricity to her home, and water is drawn from a well in a back yard.

Her parents, who make a living selling secondhand clothes, have not been able to afford textbooks for their daughter's favorite subjects. But they have saved enough money to put all their seven children through school.

"I'll be looking up in the sky for her," Felix's mother Eunice said, hugging her daughter. "I'm very, very happy. God will protect her."

Spaceweek International organizes educational events for the United Nations World Space Week in early October each year.

"We don't want to just inspire students, we want to inspire countries," Dennis Stone, director of Spaceweek International, said in a telephone interview from Houston.

Nigeria was selected to inaugurate the space experience program because of its active space program — the country launched a satellite in 2003 — and to highlight the way that space can assist developing countries, Stone said.

To those who question the wisdom of a space program in a country where 70 percent of the population lives on less than $2 a day, Stone pointed out that space technology has helped in disaster relief and in development.

"In the Asian tsunami, (space technology) helped direct assistance to exactly where it was needed," Stone said.

Felix, who divides her spare time between extra physics classes and helping her mother in the market, said she wants to bring attention to the ways that space exploration could help her country. She ticked off communications and disaster and weather monitoring on her fingers.

"I feel so happy to be the first person," Felix said. "I wish to learn more so I can teach my peer group."

Felix will spend six days in the United States, her travel paid for by the Nigerian space program with the zero-gravity trip and other expenses covered by TerreStar Networks Inc., a Reston, Va.-based satellite company.

Sphere: Related Content

Ahmadinejad: Iran doesn't need the bomb

SCHEHEREZADE FARAMARZI,
Associated Press Writer

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad insisted Thursday that Tehran doesn't need atomic weapons and he is "at a loss" about what more he can do to prove that. Ahmadinejad said his country has not hidden anything and was working within the framework of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

"The bottom line is we do not need a bomb," he said at a news conference on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly.

The nations seeking to halt Iran's disputed nuclear activities are working out a new deadline for the Islamic republic and have authorized the European Union's foreign policy chief to go anywhere at any time to meet Tehran's top nuclear negotiator.

Despite the possible new accommodations, diplomats said they're not willing to wait much longer for Iran to respond more definitively to their package of incentives to stop uranium enrichment.

Ahmadinejad said he believed negotiations on the issue were "on the right track."

"Our position on suspension is very clear," Ahmadinejad said. "Under fair and just conditions ... we will negotiate about it."

He said the Iranians "want to make sure that everything we agree on" has a guarantee but they were not looking for security measures.

"We are able to protect ourselves and our security," he said. "What we speak of are guarantees of enforcement of provisions that are agreed upon."

He also accused the U.S. of having a double standard and said it should destroy its own nuclear arsenal, which would make it "less suspicious of others."

He questioned what the U.S. has done to shut down its weapons program. "They too need to submit a report" to the International Atomic Energy Agency on its nuclear program, he said. "We've acted in a very transparent manner."

Ahmadinejad, whose country has been accused of smuggling weapons to the Islamic militant group Hezbollah, which fought a 34-day war with Israel this summer, said Lebanon's internal affairs were its own concern.

"We give spiritual support to all those who want to support their rights," he said when asked about whether Iran is arming Hezbollah. He added that Iran supports "permanent stability in Lebanon, and we will fall short of no means in supporting this goal."

The hard-line Iranian leader also reached out to the American people, two days after President Bush addressed himself to the Iranian public.

"The people of the United States are highly respected by us ... many people in the United States believe in God and believe in justice," he said.

In response to a question by an Israeli TV reporter on his past remarks that he sought the destruction of Israel, Ahmadinejad hesitated before responding.

"We love everyone in the world — Jews, Christians, Muslims, non-Muslims, non-Jews, non-Christians," he said. "We are against ugly acts. We are against occupation, aggression, killings and displacing people — otherwise we have no problem with ordinary people."

"Everyone is respected. ... We declare this in a loud voice," he said.

With world leaders gathered at the United Nations, the United States had hoped to move decisively this week toward political and economic sanctions against Iran after it missed an Aug. 31 U.N. Security Council deadline to halt uranium enrichment.

The oil-rich nation insists the program has the peaceful purpose of producing fuel for nuclear reactors that generate electricity. But the United States and other countries fear Iran's goal is to build a nuclear arsenal and transform the balance of power in the Middle East.

A dinner meeting Tuesday with Beckett, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and the foreign ministers of France, Russia, China, Germany and Italy produced little consensus about the next step, Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns said. He said the diplomatic effort to counter Iran was in "extra innings."

French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said Wednesday the nations leading efforts to halt Iran's uranium enrichment are working on a new deadline for Tehran to provide a more definitive response, despite differences over sanctions.

France also is pushing a compromise proposal that would have Iran suspend uranium enrichment at the same time as a Security Council suspension of all threats of sanctions.

Sphere: Related Content

Thousands remember 'Crocodile Hunter'

DENNIS PASSA,
Associated Press Writer

Friends and fans, including Hollywood stars and Australia's prime minister, bid farewell to "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin on Wednesday at a service that veered from poignant tributes to belly laughs.

Irwin's 8-year-old daughter, Bindi, hailed him as her hero; his father, Bob, asked people to end their grieving, and fans were invited to laugh at his television antics one more time.

The ceremony was carried live on three national television networks and at least one radio station. Flags on the Sydney Harbor Bridge and throughout Irwin's home state of Queensland flew at half-staff, and giant television screens were set up for people to watch the service.

Prime Minister John Howard was among the 5,000 people who attended the ceremony at the "Crocoseum," the small stadium in Irwin's wildlife park where he regularly put on crocodile-feeding shows.

"Steve Irwin touched the hearts of Australians and touched the hearts of millions around the world in a very special way," Howard said.

In a recorded video message from New York, Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe said: "It was way too soon for all of us. We have lost a friend, a champion."

Irwin, 44, died Sept. 4 when a stringray's barb pierced his chest while he filmed a TV show on the Great Barrier Reef. His family held a private funeral service for him on Sept. 9 at the family-owned park, Australia Zoo.

As expected, there was one empty seat at Steve Irwin's personal stadium — symbolically set aside for the late conservationist himself. On the stage sat Irwin's widow, Terri, and their two children, Bindi, and Bob, 2 — all dressed in Irwin's favorite khaki. It was their first public appearance since Irwin's death.

"Please do not grieve for Steve, he's at peace now," Bob Irwin said. "Grieve for the animals. They have lost the best friend they ever had, and so have I."

Bindi told the crowd at the ceremony that "my Daddy was my hero."

"He was always there for me when I needed him. He listened to me and taught me so many things. But most of all he was fun," she said.

There were lighter moments, including several video clips of Irwin's in-your-face antics that drew laughs and applause from the crowd.

Most popular were out-takes and bloopers from his TV program, showing Irwin falling out of boats, getting bitten by lizards and forgetting his lines.

At the end of the ceremony, Irwin's utility vehicle, packed with camping gear and his favorite surfboard, was driven from the stadium — through an honor guard of Australia Zoo employees.

After the truck left the stadium, a group of employees spelled out Irwin's catchword "Crikey" in yellow flowers on the ground.

As part of the public memorial entitled "He Changed Our World," actress Cameron Diaz said in a video presentation that Irwin was incredibly popular in the United States.

"America just flipped for him," said Diaz. "Every kid was in love with the idea of being him."

Actor Kevin Costner said in the video that Irwin was "fearless ... He let us see who he was. That is being brave in today's society."

Separately from the service, marine explorer Jean-Michel Cousteau said that, while he mourned Irwin's death, he disagreed with the Australian's hands-on approach to nature television.

He said he respected Irwin's environmental message, but noted that Irwin would "interfere with nature, jump on animals, grab them, hold them, and have this very, very spectacular, dramatic way of presenting things."

"It sells, it appeals to a lot people, but I think it's very misleading," Cousteau said in Los Angeles. "You don't touch nature, you just look at it."

Sphere: Related Content

Today in history - Sept. 21

The Associated Press

Today is Thursday, Sept. 21, the 264th day of 2006. There are 101 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On Sept. 21, 1938, a hurricane struck parts of New York and New England, causing widespread damage and claiming some 700 lives.

On this date:

In 1792, the French National Convention voted to abolish the monarchy.

In 1897, the New York Sun ran its famous editorial that declared, "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus."

In 1937, "The Hobbit," by J.R.R. Tolkien, was first published.

In 1948, Milton Berle made his debut as permanent host of "The Texaco Star Theater" on NBC television.

In 1964, Malta gained independence from Britain.

In 1970, "NFL Monday Night Football" made its debut on ABC-TV as the Cleveland Browns defeated the visiting New York Jets, 31-21.

In 1973, the U.S. Senate confirmed Henry Kissinger to be Secretary of State.

In 1976, Orlando Letelier, one-time foreign minister to Chilean President Salvador Allende, was killed when a bomb exploded in his car in Washington, D.C.

In 1981, the Senate unanimously confirmed the nomination of Sandra Day O'Connor to become the first female justice on the Supreme Court.

In 1989, Hurricane Hugo, packing winds of up to 135 mph, crashed into Charleston, S.C.

Ten years ago: John F. Kennedy Jr. married Carolyn Bessette in a secret ceremony on Cumberland Island, Ga. The board of all-male Virginia Military Institute voted to admit women. President Clinton and Republican rival Bob Dole agreed to face off in two debates without Ross Perot.

Five years ago: Congress again opened the federal coffers to those harmed by terrorism, providing $15 billion to the airline industry, which was suffering mounting economic losses since the Sept. 11 attacks. Hollywood's finest paid tribute to real-life heroes during a telethon for victims of the terrorist attacks that was carried on more than 30 networks.

One year ago: Hurricane Rita swirled toward the Gulf Coast as a Category 5, 165-mph hour monster as more than 1.3 million people in Texas and Louisiana were evacuated. A JetBlue Airbus circled Southern California for hours, crippled by a faulty landing gear, while inside the cabin, passengers were able to watch the drama unfold on live television; the plane landed safely. Japan's Parliament re-elected Junichiro Koizumi prime minister. Former National Organization for Women president Molly Yard died in Pittsburgh at age 93.

Today's Birthdays: Actor Larry Hagman is 75. Poet-songwriter Leonard Cohen is 72. Actor-comedian Henry Gibson is 71. Author-comedian Fannie Flagg is 62. Author Stephen King is 59. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer is 59. Musician Don Felder (The Eagles) is 59. Actor-comedian Bill Murray is 56. Rock musician Philthy Animal is 52. Movie producer-writer Ethan Coen is 49. Actor-comedian Dave Coulier is 47. Actor David James Elliott is 46. Actress Nancy Travis is 45. Actor Rob Morrow is 44. Actress Cheryl Hines is 41. Country singer Faith Hill is 39. Rock musician Tyler Stewart (Barenaked Ladies) is 39. Country singer Ronna Reeves is 38. Actress-talk show host Ricki Lake is 38. Rapper Dave (De La Soul) is 38. Actor Alfonso Ribeiro is 35. Actor Luke Wilson is 35. Actor Paulo Costanzo is 28. TV personality Nicole Richie is 25. Actress Maggie Grace is 23. Actor Joseph Mazzello is 23. Actors Nikolas and Lorenzo Brino ("7th Heaven") are 8.

Thought for Today: "The very idea that there is another idea is something gained." — Richard Jefferies, English author (1848-1887).

Sphere: Related Content