■ United States
Quake sparks interest in drill
Several countries not originally interested in a Pacific-wide tsunami drill have been signing up for the exercise after flaws occurred in warnings about a recent earthquake near Tonga. Since the 7.9-magnitude temblor hit on May 3, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii has experienced a spike in replies to invitations about the test that were sent out by a UN agency two months ago. "It's convinced people that they really should participate," said Gerard Fryer, acting director of the center, which will launch mock bulletins of two simulated earthquakes beginning tomorrow. A Pacific warning system has been in place since 1965, but a full ocean-wide exercise has never taken place.
■ Puerto Rico
Shutdown to end
Governor Anibal Acevedo Vila has signed legislation ending a partial government shutdown that closed public schools and idled half of the central government's work force since May 1. More than 100,000 government workers and a half-million students will return to work and classrooms today after a two-week break they never planned for was resolved with the signature late on Saturday. "The government will reopen and return to normal on Monday. This has been an extraordinary victory for the people of Puerto Rico," said Acevedo, referring to the House and Senate's approval of an emergency loan to fund the government's operations and payroll until the end of the fiscal year on June 30.
■ United States
Sex offenders to be tracked
California plans to map the homes of nearly 2,000 sexual offenders using Global Positioning System satellite technology to certify they are staying far enough from schools, the head of the corrections department announced on Saturday. James Tilton said high-risk sex offenders will be monitored to ensure they are living about a kilometer from schools, in accordance with state law. "We will use whatever technology we can to make sure we are in compliance with all state laws and guidelines," he said.
■ United States
Suspected killer gator killed
Wildlife officers captured an alligator on Saturday they believe was responsible for fatally attacking a woman while she was out jogging. The 2.9m alligator was trapped just under the bridge where Yovy Suarez Jimenez, 28, was last seen, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokeswoman said. Two human arms were found inside the alligator's belly, she said. Authorities still are not sure how the alligator attacked Suarez.
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