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Nation & World
Bush signs bill to help protect forests
Because fires raged in Southern California this year, Democrats were finally able to compromise on legislation regarding the protection and treatment of forests. The Senate had been unable to pass the legislation for three years due to disagreements.
President Bush signed the Healthy Forest Restoration Act to help prevent wildfires from getting out of control and to try to stop the needless destruction of trees.
Bush feels the legislation is an important step toward maintaining forests, property and even saving lives. Wildfires were responsible for 22 deaths this past year in California.
The signing of the bill happened Nov. 21 during the week in which President Theodore Roosevelt established the National Forest system in 1904. It is also the first major forest legislation to be passed in the last 25 years.
Dangerous floods expected in France
Thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes in France in the wake of recent torrential rains that are predicted to last through the week. Industries were shut down, schools were closed, bus systems cancelled and telephone lines were down earlier this week. At one point, twice a month's normal rainfall came within one day.
President Jacques Chirac stopped an official trip to check in with coordinators of rescue operations. Ten thousand rescue workers and over $14 million have been established to combat the dangerous weather to come.
During his visit, Chirac commented on victims of flood damage, including four people who had lost their lives because of the storms and floods. He said all victims can count on the solidarity of the country to overcome whatever happens in the future.
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