The international effort to help victims of last week's devastating tsunami in southern Asia continues, amid warnings that the death could rise significantly. Relief efforts were hampered early today by the shutdown of the main airport in Banda Aceh on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, a key hub for relief flights. The airport has now reopended after a cargo plane blocking a runway was removed. Th plane struck a water buffalo while landing.
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell says the United States will not turn away from the victims of last week's tsunami that devastated southern Asia and pledged support for a warning system to prevent a recurrence of the disaster. Mr. Powell told reporters in Thailand today that the aftermath of the tsunami is a tragedy for the entire world.
Meanwhile, two former U.S. Presidents, George H.W. bush and Bill Clinton, have been tapped to lead a nationwide drive for Americans to donate directly to tsunami relief efforts. President Bush announced the nationwide drive Monday in Washington.
Iraqi police say insurgents have shot dead the governor of Baghdad province. Police say Ali al-Haidari and his bodyguard were killed today while driving through a Baghdad city neighborhood. In a separate attack, a suicide bomber rammed his explosives laden truck into a police post in central Baghdad, killing at least 10 people and wounding more than 50 others.
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