News Bytes

Hurricane Katrina - higher costs than expected
The destruction left behind by Hurricane Katrina will be significantly more expensive for the US than expected. US risk management company RMS estimated the costs to be ca. $100 billion. Almost half of these costs are due to flooding. With this, RMS drastically increased its prognosis. Until recently, the damages had been estimated at $50 billion.
According to S&P (rating agency) the United States' GDP will decrease by 0.5% in the third quarter due to the hurricane. "As measured by the destroyed houses and the people affected, this is one of the most destructive natural catastrophes that have ever been recorded," says UNO relief coordinator Jan Egeland at the beginning of this month.

US government regrets WWII thefts by US soldiers
The US Justice Department issued a statement in which the government apologizes for the Gold Train thefts of 1945. On this train were valuables that had been stolen from Hungarian Jews and were meant to be transported to the Third Reich. Apart from the apology, the US government will pay a total of $25.5 million to holocaust survivors. The whole process was triggered by the discovery that also US soldiers had participated in the theft of valuables worth a total of $120 million.

Magnetic levitation train on the other side of the pond
After China, the US as well have now taken a fancy to the German magnetic levitation train Transrapid. US Congress has already allocated $90 million (roughly €75 million) to the planning of the project alone.
Two tracks are planned so far: one of them around the city of Las Vegas, the other on the East Coast. A selection process will decide on the final location of the tracks.

Americans enthused about bicycles
"Bikes Belong" has reported that over the last 12 months, more bikes than cars have been sold in the US. The reason is the increase in fuel prices. A total of 19 million bikes have been sold over the last 12 months. The oil embargo of 1973 had already convinced 20 million Americans of the many advantages of bicycles. For the next four years, an investment of roughly $3.5 million has been planned to expand bikeways.

No information for flight passengers
Starting next year, personal information will be collected of all passengers flying to the US. Passengers will not know, however, what of their data will be saved, because US authorities do not allow access.
This was discovered when some people wanted to inquire about their data. The Transport Security Administration stated that this would present too much of an effort. Usually, however, only your US address and your itinerary will be saved.

Mysterious lights
Two weeks ago, shortly before midnight, many people in the US reported about the viewing of non-identifiable lights. Red lights were seen above Tinley Park and Orlando Park.
Most people were certain that this would not have a usual explanation. The lights were said to have been "too red" for stars and too slow for planes. Neither the Federal Aviation Association nor the National Weather Service has been able to solve the mystery so far.

A Blessing in Disguise
Jacquelyn Sherman from New Orleans had survived Hurricane Katrina, but at the same time lost all of her belongings. Like many others, her house and with it all her possessions were destroyed by the hurricane. However, her life changed again with $4.25 she invested in a one-armed bandit, this time in a positive way. She left the casino in Louisiana as a millionaire after winning the jackpot. She won $1.6 million. Together with 25 of her family members she found shelter at her sister's house after Hurricane Katrina. Now, she says, she will move again soon, to a house she will buy for herself and her family. We would like to say: congratulations! Sometimes, the right people do win, after all.