Monday, September 1, 2003

* Mourners gathered yesterday for the funeral of Ayatollah Mohammed Bager al-Hakim,
a top Shi’ite Muslim cleric killed along with 83 others in Friday’s car bombing
in the holy city of Najaf. Five Iraqis are being detained as possible suspects
of the attack, which some are attributing to Saddam loyalists but others are
claiming as the work of al-Qaeda and foreign organizations. The bombing has
pushed international leaders toward possibly reconsidering their stance about
stabilizing Iraq, with Russia now saying it would back a U.S.-led U.N. force
in Iraq.

* Israeli defense minister Shaul Mofaz yesterday hinted at the possibility
of an Israeli invasion in the Gaza Strip, despite the heavy casualties on both
sides if such an offensive were launched in the densely populated area. Palestinians
in the area are already facing air assaults, with 13 Palestinians being killed
in helicopter missile strikes since the Hamas suicide bus bombing in Jerusalem
two weeks ago. A helicopter strike on Saturday also killed Hamas member Abdullah
Agel, prompting retaliation by a Palestinian gunman that wounded an Israeli
truck driver. Palestinian officials have called on the U.S. to stabilize the
situation and implement a road map that will lead to a Palestinian state.

* South Korea called North Korea’s threat to intensify its nuclear arms program
a strategic tactic to earn a stronger negotiating position in the talks between
the two countries, China, Russia, Japan, and the U.S. North Korea had agreed
on Friday that another round of talks was necessary, but then stated on Saturday
that the U.S.’s position made continued negotiations impossible. It is not clear
whether Saturday’s threat included a negation of Friday’s agreement, but South
Korea has told reporters that a second round of talks is their goal.

*****

Muslim Student Association meeting
Parrish 370, 6:00 p.m.

SWIL Movie Night
Science Center 101, 10:00 p.m.

*****

SPORTS UPDATE

Shavaugn Lewis ’05’s goal on a pass by Becky Strauss ’06 drove the women’s
soccer team to a 1-0 overtime victory over Widener in the eighth annual Swat
Kick Classic. Catherine Salussolia ’04 shut out Widener with 11 saves. The Garnet
Tide had advanced to the championship round by defeating Alvernia on Saturday,
4-1 on goals by Katey McCaffrey ’04 (2), Natalie Negrey ’07, and Stephanie Chappell
’05.

The Garnet men were also victorious in the second round of tournament play,
defeating Wilkes University 4-2 after losing their match on Saturday. Brendan
Moriarty ’04 and Marty Griffith ’05 scored the first two goals on assists from
Charlie Taylor ’06, while goals from Nicholas Graham ’06 and Andrew Terker ’06
put the Garnet over the top for the win. Goaltender Nate Shupe ’05 made four
saves and was named to the all-tournament team, along with Moriarty and Alex
Elkins ’06.

*****

Swarthmore defeated SUNY-New Paltz 3-2 to place fifth at the Skidmore Early
Bird Tournament. The Garnet won the match 30-16, 30-28, 28-30, 27-30, 15-13,
after falling to RIT and SUNY-Cortland in pool play.

Emily Colon ’06 led the offense with 45 assists, while Natalie Dunphy ’05 had
18 kills. On the defensive, Patrice Berry ’06 had 28 digs and Tanya Gonzalez
’06, 16.

The Garnet are now 1-2 on the season.

*****

Today:
There are no contests scheduled for today.

Tomorrow:
Women’s soccer at Philadelphia Biblical, 4:30 p.m.

*****

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy
enough people to make it worth the effort.”
–Herm Albright

*****

Interested in reporting or writing for the Gazette?
Got a news or sports tip for us?
Just want to tell us what you think?

Contact the staff at daily@swarthmore.edu

The Daily Gazette is published Monday through Friday by an independent
group of Swarthmore College students. The Daily Gazette Web Site is updated
regularly, as news happens. Technical support from the Swarthmore College
Computer Society is gratefully acknowledged.