World in Brief: Sarkozy to cut nuclear stockpile
President Nicolas Sarkozy announced Friday that he would reduce France’s stockpile of nuclear warheads but said the country still needs a robust program to deter such potential enemies as Iran from ever striking.
In his first major speech about France’s nuclear capabilities since being elected in May, Sarkozy, who is facing increased budget constraints, said the cuts would leave France with almost 300 warheads.
“Iran is increasing the range of its missiles while serious doubts are raised regarding its nuclear program,” Sarkozy said. “It is the security of Europe which is at stake. This is why we care about our nuclear deterrence. It is strictly defensive.”
France’s warheads are designed to be launched from submarines or airplanes. Sarkozy said the nation’s airborne weaponry would be cut by one-third.
Alamosa, Colo.
City water blamed for salmonella
It could be three more weeks before residents of a southern Colorado town can drink water straight from the tap after dozens of cases of salmonella poisoning were linked to municipal water, putting seven people in the hospital.
An analysis indicates the municipal water system in Alamosa is the source of the bacterial outbreak, as suspected, said Ned Calonge, chief medical officer for the state health department.
Gov. Bill Ritter declared an emergency Friday in Alamosa County, activating the National Guard and providing as much as $300,000 for response efforts.
As of Friday, 138 cases of salmonella linked to the outbreak had been reported.
Marathon, Fla.
Ray’s impact killed boater in Florida
A medical examiner determined Friday that a Michigan woman died immediately from the blunt force impact of a ray that leaped into a fishing boat and struck her in the face Thursday off the Florida Keys.
Judy Kay Zagorski, 55, of Pigeon, Mich., was in the front seat of the moving boat when the 75-pound spotted eagle ray jumped from the water, possibly to escape a predator or shake off small fish that attach themselves to rays.
Zagorski’s sister, Joyce Ann Miller, who also was in the boat and hit by the ray, suffered only minor injuries.