FDA to test Chinese imports with milk

WASHINGTON, Nov. 13 (UPI) -- Milk-containing Chinese imports will be held at the border until tests prove they aren't contaminated, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said.

The FDA said Thursday it issued the alert because of concerns that Chinese products such as candy snacks and cereal may be contaminated with the toxic chemical melamine, The New York Times reported.

"We're taking this action because it's the right thing to do for the public health," said Dr. Steven Solomon, an FDA deputy associate commissioner.

Since September, more than 50,000 babies in China have become ill because they drank tainted formula. At least four died.

Since then, Chinese officials have found melamine in a variety of products, including milk, eggs and fish feed.

U.S. companies have recalled several products, including non-dairy creamer and a type of candy -- which are mainly sold in Asian markets -- because of melamine concerns, the Times said.

H. Clinton floated as Secretary of State

WASHINGTON, Nov. 13 (UPI) -- Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., is under consideration for secretary of state in President-elect Barack Obama's administration, The Washington Post said Thursday.

Citing "increasing chatter in political circles," the Post said Clinton's name is being floated as a prospective secretary of state nominee -- along with the names of Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass.; New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson; Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb.; and former Sen. Sam Nunn, D-Ga.

Clinton's office referred questions on the report to the Obama transition team but Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor did not comment, the newspaper said.

Clinton is known for her work on international women's issues and human rights. The former first lady could also aid Obama's efforts to restore U.S. reputation among allies, the Post said.

7 feared dead in Iraq plane crash

BAGHDAD, Nov. 13 (UPI) -- The U.S. military and FedEx said a civilian cargo plane crashed in Western Iraq Thursday morning and all seven crew members are feared dead.

The Russian-made plane, operated by a Dubai firm, was carrying FedEx packages among its cargo, The New York Times said.

The U.S. military said it did not appear that the plane, which crashed shortly after taking off from al-Asad Air Base, had been shot down, though the cause of the crash was still unknown.

"It appears it was some kind of mechanical failure, that or a pilot failure," Staff Sgt. Susan James said, the Times reported. She said there were no coalition forces on the plane.

An unnamed police official told the Times that heavy smoke could be seen coming from the plane before the crash. No area residents had reported seeing a missile hitting the aircraft.

CIA director: Bin Laden alive

WASHINGTON, Nov. 13 (UPI) -- Terror leader Osama bin Laden is alive, CIA Director Michael Hayden said Thursday in a speech in Washington.

ABC News reported that Hayden said the al-Qaida leader is "putting a lot of energy into his own security."

Without elaborating, Hayden said the U.S. intelligence community thwarted an attack "that would have rivaled the destruction of 9/11," the network reported.

"America and its friends have taken the fight to the enemy," Hayden said. "Al-Qaida has suffered serious setbacks, but it is a determined, adaptive enemy unlike any our nation has ever faced."

The failure to kill or capture bin Laden seven years since the Sept., 11, 2001, attacks is partly because of the "rugged and inaccessible" terrain of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border area.

"The truth is, we simply don't know what would happen if bin Laden is killed or captured, but I'm willing to bet that it would work in our favor," Hayden said.

Hayden said the deaths of at least six top al-Qaida commanders in Pakistan had kept the terror group "off balance."

Copyright 2008 by United Press International
All Rights Reserved.