Check out our Special Report on the Financial Crisis. Don't miss feature
writer Ted Landphair's America - a blog on American life. And remember to log
on to USAVotes2008.com, our election community site, where you can discuss U.S.
politics with others around the world.
British PM Calls on China, Oil States to Aid World Economy
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Gordon Brown says International Monetary Fund may run short of money as it
tries to bolster economies around world battered by financial meltdown
Gordon Brown, 27 Oct 2008 British Prime Minister Gordon Brown says the
International Monetary Fund may run short of money as it tries to bolster
economies around the world battered by the financial meltdown.Mr. Brown called
on nations with substantial reserves like China and oil-rich Gulf states to
contribute more to the fund. The IMF has been working to help several nations,
including Ukraine and Iceland recently.Mr. Brown spoke before traveling to
France for talks on economic issues with President Nicolas Sarkozy. He also is
set to meet with Germany's chancellor, Angela Merkel, on Thursday in London.
Meanwhile, two of the world's major central banks may be about to cut key
interest rates in an attempt to boost the economy.Top officials of the U.S.
Federal Reserve begin a two-day meeting Tuesday, and could announce a rate cut
Wednesday. The head of the European Central Bank, ECB, says the institution is
likely to cut interest rates next week. Also Tuesday, stock markets around the
world are soaring. Hong Kong's key index rocketed upward more than 14 percent,
and major indexes in Tokyo and Germany posted strong gains. Stock prices in
Paris, London and New York also advanced strongly.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
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Most Arab, Gulf Stock Markets Lower for Third Day
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Financial difficulties by United Arab Emirates' second-largest bank causing
ripple effect in various countries, including Kuwait
Most Gulf stock exchanges traded lower again, but with smaller losses than in
previous sessions. Financial difficulties by the United Arab Emirates
second-largest bank are causing a ripple effect in various countries, including
Kuwait, as Edward Yeranian reports from Cairo.Traders follow market's movement
at Stock Exchange in Kuwait City Most Arab stock exchanges, with several key
exceptions, were lower for the third day, amid an ongoing global financial and
economic crisis.The Qatar stock market was down more than 5 percent, and Kuwait
more than 2 percent lower, while Abu Dhabi, Oman and Bahrain traded marginally
lower. The Dubai market was flat, while Saudi Arabia showed a 5 percent gain,
after hefty losses in recent days.Gulf economic experts say major losses by
Kuwait's second-largest bank are having a ripple effect across Gulf markets.
Trading in its shares remain suspended.Meanwhile, Kuwait's Finance Minister
Mustapha Shamally told Al Arabiya TV that the government has approved a draft
law to guarantee bank deposits, in line with similar measures taken in the
United Arab Emirates, last week.Newspaper reports say that Kuwait is also
preparing to set up a $5.6 billion-fund to help beleaguered companies that have
incurred large overseas losses.United Arab Emirates Central Bank Governor
Nasser al Suweidi also indicated Monday that property prices in the UAE could
be facing a "correction," but that banks in the Emirates were "safe," and that
the Central Bank was prepared to pour more liquidity into the banking system.
In Egypt, the Cairo stock exchange closed with a gain of 4 percent after
initial losses, but investors still appear to be fearful.A businessman in
communications and information technology, Mohammed Omran, says the Egyptian
market has lost more than 65 percent of its value in recent days."The economic
crisis is not only in the Gulf, it is everywhere ... I want to talk about the
stock market in Egypt, where we have seen a lot of deterioration of the market
capitalization and the market value of the stock market over the last two
weeks, or about 10 days since the financial crisis started hitting Egypt badly,
and the market has lost over 65 percent or 70 percent of its value ...," Omran
said.Omran also believes that panic is the major factor behind the economic
crisis, and that many people are converting their assets into cash."Well,
people are saying now to themselves that cash is a king, as you know, and for
that everyone of course is trying to either liquidate his own stock assets or
real estate or perhaps withdraw cash from the bank and keep it safe where he
can," Omran said.While the widespread panic appears to be calming in the Arab
markets, many people say they are worried the markets will continue on their
slippery downward slope.
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Candidates Focus on Economy, Key States in Final Week of US Presidential
Campaign
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Democrat Barack Obama continues to lead in national polls and in most key
states that will hold balance in next week's election
The U.S. presidential election campaign is moving into its final week, and both
major candidates are making their closing arguments to voters before the
November 4 election. Democratic Party nominee Barack Obama and Republican John
McCain have campaigned Monday in Ohio and are each beginning their day Tuesday
in Pennsylvania, before moving on to other important states where the race is
close. VOA national correspondent Jim Malone has the latest on the campaign
from Washington. Senator Barack Obama in Canton, Ohio, 27 Oct 2008Democrat
Barack Obama continues to lead in the national polls and in most of the key
states that will hold the balance in next week's election.But Obama cautioned a
crowd in Ohio not to take the election for granted, and to get out and work
hard in the closing days of the campaign. "Do not believe for a second that
this election is over," he said. "Do not think for a minute that power
concedes. We have a lot of work to do. We have to work like our future depends
on it in this last week, because it does depend on it this week!"Obama is
focused on a message of change and unity in the final days of the campaign. He
says if elected he would unify the country, including Democrats and
Republicans, to take on the economic challenges at home and the security
challenges abroad.But Obama is not backing away from his central contention
that his Republican opponent, Senator John McCain, represents a continuation of
what he calls the failed policies of President Bush."John McCain might be
worried about losing an election, but I am worried about Americans who are
losing their homes and their jobs and their life savings," said Obama. "I can
take one more week of John McCain's attacks, but this country cannot take four
more years of the same failed politics and the same failed policies. It is time
to try something new!" Senator John McCain in Dayton, Ohio, 27 Oct
2008Senator McCain also campaigned in Ohio, and he focused on the economy,
which the polls show is the number-one issue in the election."With one week
left in this campaign, the choice facing Americans is stark," McCain said. "My
economic goals and policies are very clear."McCain again distanced himself from
the economic policies of President Bush, and noted that Americans want
change.McCain also continued his attacks on Obama's tax proposals, which some
of his supporters compare to socialism."And that is the problem with Senator
Obama's approach to our economy," said McCain. "He is more interested in
controlling wealth than creating it, in redistributing money instead of
spreading opportunity. I am going to create wealth for all Americans by
creating opportunity for all Americans!"Many political experts believe McCain
is running out of time to close the gap in the polls in the final days of the
campaign."What is driving this election is dissatisfaction with the party now
holding the White House," said Allan Lichtman, a presidential historian at
American University in Washington. "Nearly 90 percent of Americans think the
country is on the wrong track. The economy is in meltdown. George Bush is the
most unpopular president in the history of polling, which goes back to the
1930's."The fact that both major presidential contenders were in Ohio on the
same day this late in the campaign reflects the state's influential status in
presidential elections. No Republican has ever won the White House without
carrying Ohio. And John Kennedy in 1960 was the last Democratic candidate to
win the presidency without carrying Ohio. Obama has a narrow lead over McCain
in the latest polls in Ohio.
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Rebels Continue Offensive in Eastern DRC
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Reports say rebels loyal to renegade General Laurent Nkunda overran Kibumba
Monday, despite helicopter attacks by UN peacekeepers trying to stop rebel
advance
Witnesses say government troops are retreating in the face of a rebel offensive
in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.Officials and residents in Congo's
North Kivu province say the sides clashed again Tuesday in several spots near
Kibumba and Rutshuru, two towns north of the provincial capital, Goma.Reports
say rebels loyal to renegade General Laurent Nkunda overran Kibumba on Monday,
despite helicopter attacks by U.N. peacekeepers trying to stop the rebel
advance.Two boys, fleeing from the town of Kibumba, walk as a tank of the
Congolese army moves on the road, about 35 kilometers north of Goma, 27 Oct
2008Thousands of people from Kibumba and nearby villages have fled the fighting
on foot toward Goma. The U.N. refugee agency said Tuesday it expects 30,000
new arrivals at a camp near the capital.The U.N.'s efforts have been hampered
by attacks from locals, who are angry that the peacekeepers have failed to
protect them from the fighting. At least two people were killed Monday when
protesters tried to storm a U.N. compound. The commander of the U.N. mission in
Congo, Spanish Lieutenant General Vicente Diaz de Villegas, resigned from his
post on Monday, for what the U.N. called "personal reasons." A Ghanian officer
has taken over the post until a permanent replacement is named.Nkunda's men
launched their offensive against government forces on Sunday. The sides have
fought numerous battles since late August, following the collapse of a January
peace deal.Nkunda says his militia is defending Tutsi civilians from Hutu
fighters from neighboring Rwanda. The rebels accuse Congo's army of working
with the Hutus.North Kivu remains the most volatile area of a country still
recovering from a devastating five-year civil war that ended in 2003.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.
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Iraq 'Rejects' Deadly Helicopter Attack on Eastern Syria
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Iraqi spokesman says Iraq does not want its territory to be used for attacks on
neighboring countries
The Iraqi government has criticized Sunday's helicopter raid on eastern Syria
that Damascus blames on U.S. forces.An Iraqi government spokesman said Baghdad
"rejects" the raid. He added that Iraq does not want its territory to be used
for attacks on neighboring countries. It was Iraq's first official criticism
of Sunday's attack.Syria says four helicopters carried U.S. troops on a
cross-border attack that killed eight civilians. The Syrian government has
already lodged an official protest with the U.S. Tuesday, it ordered the
closure of an American school and an American cultural center in Damascus.The
U.S. government has refused comment on the raid - but one U.S. official,
speaking anonymously, said the attack is believed to have killed the head of a
network smuggling weapons and foreign fighters into Iraq.While criticizing the
raid, the Iraqi spokesman also called on Damascus to crack down on insurgents
who use Syria as a base to train and launch attacks on Iraq. Baghdad has said
that Sunday's helicopter raid targeted such an area.China and Lebanon issued
statements Tuesday condemning the attack as a violation of Syria's
sovereignty.Russia and the Arab League issued similar statements Monday.Syria
has accused the United States of "terrorist aggression" for the raid and filed
an official protest with Washington. Syria has warned that if another raid
happens, it will defend its territory. Syria's state news agency, SANA, says
thousands of people attended the funerals Monday of those killed in the raid.
The U.S. official who spoke to reporters confidentially said the targeted man
was Abu Ghadiya. The U.S. Treasury Department has previously identified
Ghadiya as a major terrorist financier for al-Qaida in Iraq.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
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Afghanistan, Pakistan, US Military Forces Cooperate in Border Region
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Intelligence analysts say that by neutralizing insurgents along border, they
can prevent al-Qaida attacks in other parts of the world
Mutual distrust between Afghanistan and Pakistan has hampered efforts to combat
terrorism along their common border. That has led to calls for joint patrols,
along with international troops. While that has yet to happen, Afghan and
Pakistani soldiers, along with U.S. forces, are working and living alongside
each other in a new military facility in the Khyber Pass on the Afghan side of
the border. VOA Correspondent Steve Herman was given a rare look inside the
first Joint Border Coordination Center and files this report. An Afghan
checkpoint on the border with PakistanIt is one of the world's most
strategically important and porous borders. Smugglers and terrorists can cross
it at more than 250 points - some in rugged mountainous terrain, virtually
impossible for Afghanistan or Pakistan to adequately monitor. This lawless
area, for years, has been home to al-Qaida, Taliban and other insurgents intent
on undermining the governments on both sides of the border, as well as
attacking the 70,000 international troops in Afghanistan. In order to
coordinate efforts to patrol the region and fight terrorism, Afghanistan,
Pakistan and the United States have established the first of six planned border
coordination centers.The first center, along the fabled Khyber Pass on the
Afghan side of the border, opened in late March. Here, Afghan, Pakistani and
American forces work, live and eat together. They communicate in English, Dari
and Pashto with the help of interpreters. Afghan Army Brigadier General Abdul
Rahim Faizi Afghan Army Brigadier General Abdul Rahim Faizi says this allows
soldiers from the three countries to gain mutual understanding by working
side-by-side.General Faizi says, those working together in the coordination
center can achieve more accurate aerial and artillery targeting of the common
enemy. U.S. Army Brigadier General Mark Milley explains that this first center
is helping to overcome problems that resulted from lack of coordination along
the border, including friendly-fire incidents. "It coordinates activities
between Pakistan, the Afghan national security forces, ISAF [International
Security Assistance Force] Regional Command-East forces along the border, in
order to prevent them from having incidents of conflict between each other and
in order to focus their efforts against the enemy." For too long, the area has
been a virtual no-man's land and disagreements remain on precise national
boundaries. Afghan Brigadier General Faizi says the initial coordination center
in the Khyber Pass is meant to reverse the natural advantage the enemy has
enjoyed. General Faizi says the very difficult terrain has allowed terrorists
to cross back and forth without detection. But the tripartite center allows
coordination with local community sources, giving the armies the ability to
respond immediately against those with ill intent. Each month, one-star
generals from the three countries meet at the Khyber Pass to discuss how things
are going and refine the process. There are calls for the Afghans and
Pakistanis to also work with the international coalition for joint patrols
along the border. U.S. Brig. Gen. Mark Milley, right, with Pakistani Army
officer at the Khyber Pass Coordination Center in AfghanistanThe U.S. Army's
General Milley says the border coordination centers could be a first step in
that direction. "That may translate into joint military operations. It's hard
to tell what direction that'll take and only time will tell. But that clearly
is a possibility that the foundation of cooperation is being built."Experts say
that any of the armies acting alone would not be able to police the 2,500
kilometer long border. General Milley says the NATO-led International Security
Assistance Force, or ISAF, and the Afghan and Pakistani militaries must fight
the border battle together. "This is a regional problem. This is a regional
insurgency. It straddles both sides of an international border," he said.
"And in order to have ultimate success at the end of the day, whenever the end
of the day is, it's going to require a very cooperative effort between both
Afghanistan and Pakistan and ISAF on both sides of this border
simultaneously."The vested interest for the U.S.-led coalition and the NATO
forces is not only the immediate neighborhood. Intelligence analysts say that
by neutralizing insurgents along the border, they can prevent al-Qaida attacks
in other parts of the world because the remote terrain remains a planning
center and training ground for global terrorist missions.
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North Korea Threatens to Turn South Into 'Debris'
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Pyongyang's anger revolves mainly around leaflets that have been launched into
the North recently by human rights groups
North Korea is warning South Korea of a pre-emptive strike that will turn the
South into "debris," if Seoul does not stop what the North calls "a policy of
confrontation." As VOA's Seoul Correspondent Kurt Achin reports, the North's
anger revolves mainly around leaflets that have been launched into the North
recently by human rights groups.South Korean AH-1S Cobra helicopter takes off
during a drill at an army firing range in Yangpyeong, 28 Oct 2008North Korea
threatened military force against South Korea, Tuesday, a day after South
Korean civic groups sent tens of thousands of leaflets into the North by
balloon.A commentary carried by North Korea's official news agency warned of an
"advanced pre-emptive strike of our own style" that "will reduce everything...
to debris, not just setting it on fire." That wording echoes threats from
North Korea in previous years to turn the South Korean capital into a "sea of
fire."North Korea has often denounced the administration of conservative South
Korean President Lee Myung-bak as a "gang of traitors" - but Tuesday's
statement uses some of the most explicit military-themed language since Mr. Lee
took office in January. The commentary warns North Korea's attack would "turn
out to be a just war... to build an independent reunified state."A day earlier,
the North threatened to suspend a joint North-South industrial project, if
Seoul did not prevent the ongoing launches of leaflets into the North by civic
groups. That same day, human rights activists launched some 40,000 leaflets by
helium balloon from waters east of the Korean Peninsula.The leaflets are
sharply critical of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il and include information
from recent reports that he may be recovering from a stroke.South Korean
Unification Ministry Spokesman Kim Ho-nyoun says officials are trying to
persuade the groups behind the leaflet launches to hold off.He says the
government is asking the human rights groups for their help in easing tension.
However, he says that scattering the leaflets is reasonable when it is done in
a legal manner -- and that South Korea will act according to the law.Park
Sang-hak is the president of the Seoul-based North Korea Freedom Coalition and
a key organizing figure of the balloon launches.He says he will be meeting this
week with officials from South Korea's presidential Blue House. However, he
says he has no intention of stopping the balloon launches, which he says are
legal.
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US Senator Found Guilty of Lying About Gifts
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US Senator Ted Stevens is convicted for lying about $250,000 in gifts he
received from an oil contractor, including improvements on his Alaska home
U.S. Senator Ted Stevens (right) leaves federal court with his attorney
after being convicted for lying about gifts he received from an oil contractor
U.S. Senator Ted Stevens has been found guilty on seven charges of lying about
gifts he received.A jury in Washington convicted Stevens Monday after a
month-long trial. He faces a maximum 35 years in prison, but federal sentencing
guidelines could allow him a much shorter sentence, or even probation.The
84-year-old Republican senator from Alaska was charged with seven counts of
making false statements on Senate financial disclosure forms.Prosecutors said
he failed to report $250,000 in gifts from an oil contractor, including
improvements on his Alaska home.The senator testified that he paid for the
home-improvement services. Stevens, the longest-serving Republican in the U.S.
Senate, is still eligible for re-election next week even as a convicted felon.
He is in a tight race with Democrat Mark Begich, the mayor of Anchorage -
Alaska's largest city. Stevens had pushed for a speedy trial in hopes of being
ruled innocent before election day November 4.It will be up to the Senate to
decide if he must leave office. He can be expelled only if two-thirds of the
senators approve the move.This is the first time a U.S. Senator has been found
guilty of a felony while in office since 1981, when a Democrat from the state
of New Jersey, Harrison Williams, was convicted of bribery and conspiracy. He
resigned from the Senate before senators could vote on expulsion. Some
information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.
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Rights Group Calls on Laos to Release Information on Hmong Protest Leaders
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Human Rights Watch says eight protest leaders and their families were sent back
to Laos
A human rights group has called on the Lao government to release information
regarding several Hmong refugees who led protests in Thailand earlier this year
and were later repatriated to Laos. As Ron Corben reports from Bangkok, Human
Rights Watch also wants Lao authorities to allow independent witnesses to
verify the well being and whereabouts of Hmong refugees sent back to Laos.The
report released Tuesday raises fresh concern over the whereabouts of five Hmong
who led protests in Thailand in June. The refugees were protesting Thailand's
policy of holding them in camps.The five were among 5,000 who marched at the
Huay Nam Khao refugee camp, 370 kilometers north of Bangkok on June 20. Hmong
refugees in Huay Nam Khao camp (File)The refugees had been held at the camp for
more than a year. Afterward, 800 protesters were forcibly repatriated to Laos,
while thousands more were returned to the camp. Human Rights Watch says eight
protest leaders and their families were sent back to Laos. The report quotes
witnesses as saying three of the men were later released from a prison in Laos
after being detained for three months.Sunai Pasuk, a Human Rights Watch
spokesman in Thailand, says the group is worried about the remaining five. "We
have concern that leaders of Lao Hmong who have been politically active while
they were in the shelter in Thailand may face prosecution after they were sent
back to Laos. Now many of them have disappeared," said Sunai." "That has
increased our concern."Hmong refugee families stand behind bars at a Thai
detention centre in Nong Khai
province near Thai-Laos border (File)The report also criticizes Thailand's
policy of blocking United Nations officials from verifying that Hmong who go
back to Laos do so voluntarily.Thai foreign ministry officials say no one has
been forced back to Laos.Sunai says the report repeats earlier requests for
more openness. "What Human Rights Watch want from the Lao government is to
provide transparency, to provide honest and transparent information regarding
the whereabouts of the refugees, particularly the leaders of the Lao Hmong, and
to allow for international agencies to have regular and unhindered access to
the resettlement areas," added Sunai.During the Vietnam War, the Hmong fought
alongside United States forces. After the war ended in 1975, many were forced
to flee Laos, with thousands crossing into Thailand. Since then many have been
granted homes in the U.S., Australia and other countries. Both Thailand and
Laos say the current refugees are economic migrants, not victims of political
persecution.
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Georgians Contemplate Future Five Years After Rose Revolution
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Life returns to normal in most of Georgia, two months after conflict with
Russia; but scars of war are still fresh in people's minds
Its famous Rose Revolution in November 2003 was to usher in a new era for the
former Soviet Republic of Georgia - an era of democracy and a path forward to
eventual membership in the West's most prestigious political clubs - the
European Union and NATO. Nearly five years later Georgia still faces a
difficult course between East and West as the conflict with neighboring Russia
in August proved. VOA's Sonja Pace reports from Tbilisi. Religious
festival at Sveti Tskhoveli, GeorgiaLife has returned to normal in most of
Georgia - two months after the conflict with neighboring Russia. But the scars
of that war are still fresh in people's minds. One man said he remembers the
oppression from the decades under Soviet rule. He said Russia is now doing the
same thing - attacking its small neighbor. And a woman said she simply prays
for peace.A simple wish - on the minds of many Georgians nowadays. Simmering
tensions in the breakaway province of South Ossetia erupted into open conflict
in early August, after the government in Tbilisi tried to re-take control of
the region from Russian-backed separatists. Russia sent troops into the area
and deep into Georgia. Even now Russian troops remain in South Ossetia and in
the other breakaway enclave of Abkhazia in the northwest.Among Georgians -
views about the war are mixed. Alexander RondeliThe president of the
Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies, Alexander Rondeli,
said the conflict united Georgians and rallied support for President Mikhail
Saakashvili."You know, Russian behavior has made Saakashvili's position
stronger. If the Russians did not commit so many crimes on Georgian soil and if
they behaved in a different way, Saakashvili's position would be weaker," he
said. Leila GaprindashviliBut not everyone agrees. Sociologist Leila
Gaprindashvili said she cannot see the benefits for the government's military
action. "I think the conflict has led to a postponement of reconciliation with
the people of South Ossetia and Abkhazia and with the process of return of
these territories for a long time."Georgia received strong verbal support from
the West during and after the conflict, and is getting financial support to
rebuild its army and its damaged infrastructure, and to help civilians who had
to flee their homes. But many question whether its actions have helped or
hindered Georgia's chances of joining the European Union and NATO. Moscow
opposes Georgian membership. And, many see its incursion into Georgia as a
signal that Russia is willing to use military force to make that point.Lawrence
Sheets is the senior Caucasus analyst of the International Crisis Group. He
said the war could have longer-term negative effects. "What a conflict
situation like this does is decrease the attractiveness of Georgia as a transit
state, which in turn has the potential to affect its economy."Georgia relies
heavily on trade, especially in its role as conduit for oil and gas from east
to west.But in November, as Georgians commemorate the 5th anniversary of their
Rose Revolution, some will be asking how far they have come and where they are
going.During the revolution, tens of thousands took to the streets to protest
rigged elections and demand a change in government and direction. The
revolution brought President Saakashvili to power with promises of democracy,
transparency, economic opportunities and a decisive turn westward.Sheets said
while some promises of the Rose Revolution have been fulfilled, others have
not. "What the government needs to do is to open up the media. The atmosphere
involving television is one of increasing government control in recent months
and in recent years and that has to be reversed. The second thing the Georgian
government must do is reform the court system, because the court system is not
independent in this country," he said.Some say - with the scars of the conflict
with Russia still fresh - an economic downturn or delays in EU or NATO
membership could have Georgians asking what happened to the promises of their
Rose Revolution.
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Rain Suspends World Series Game 5
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Phillies, Rays tied 2-all in sixth inning when field conditions ruled
unplayable
Heavy rain forced the suspension of Game Five of Major League Baseball's World
Series in Philadelphia, Monday night. The host Philadelphia Phillies and Tampa
Bay Rays were tied a 2-all in the sixth inning when field conditions were ruled
unplayable. VOA Sports Editor Parke Brewer was there and has a report.Workers
deploy rain tarp on field, 27 Oct 2008Early in the game there was just light
rain, but by the third inning it was pouring and often blowing sideways in
cold, gusting winds. The temperature had fallen to four degrees, so it was
terrible weather for baseball, much less an important World Series game.The
host Phillies jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning, thanks to two
walks, a hit batsman and a two-run single by outfielder Shane Victorino.Tampa
Bay scored one run in the fourth inning on a single by third baseman Evan
Longoria, who drove in first baseman Carlos Pena, who had doubled. Pena also
drove in the run in the sixth inning that tied the game at 2-all, and when the
Rays made the final out in their half of that inning, the game was
stopped.Umpire Tim Tschida said the grounds crews had done an excellent job to
allow the game to go on as long as it did.Bud Selig, center, talks to reporters
during press conference after postponing World Series Game 5, 27 Oct 2008"They
groomed the field after the fourth inning every half inning, and they were
keeping up with it," he said. "And, then, the velocity of the rain made it
such than when we were playing the top of the sixth inning, it became harder
and harder."So it was at that point the game was stopped, and 30 minutes later
Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig made the decision to call it a night. They
hope to resume play Tuesday night at about 8:30 p.m., but rain remains in the
forecast.Selig said there was no consideration to trying to resume play during
daytime hours, Tuesday. "You know these fans obviously came and bought tickets
for a night game, so they deserve to come back and see a night game," he said.
"It'll be the same starting time, whether it's Tuesday night, or Wednesday
night or Thursday night or whenever."Fans seek cover from rain during World
Series Game 5, 27 Oct. 2008 Never in the history of the World Series has there
been a game shortened by rain. The Philadelphia Phillies lead this
best-of-seven Series, three games to one, and are hoping they can clinch their
first baseball championship since 1980 before their home fans. Game Five will
resume in Philadelphia - right where it left off in the middle of the sixth
inning with the Phillies ready to bat. If the game concludes Tuesday and the
Rays win, Game Six would be back in Florida, Wednesday night.
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