Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!americast.com!usa-post Newsgroups: usa-today.news From: usa-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: usa-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: news Thu, Apr 23 1992 Date: Thu, 23 Apr 92 05:38:05 EDT Message-ID: DECISIONLINE: News USA TODAY Update April 23, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network STARTLING RAPE FIGURES RELEASED: Every year in the USA, 683,000 women are forcibly raped, reports a new study conducted by The Crime Victims Research and Treatment Center. The three-year study of 4,008 adult women and 370 rape crisis agencies found that 61% of rape victims surveyed were under 17 when attacked and 29% were under 11. The study's findings, which contradict Justice Department figures, are overstated, critics say. NO U.S. DEATHS IN BLASTS: There were no immediate reports of U.S. casualties following a series of explosions in the sewer system Wednesday in Guadalajara, Mexico. The popular tourist destination is home to 30,000 U.S. residents, many retirees. More than 200 Guadalajarans were killed in at least nine blasts reportedly caused by a volatile liquid called hexane that leaked from a cooking oil factory. MORE FAMILIES ARE CHILDLESS: It used to be that "family" was synonymous with "children." But as more and more couples have delayed marriage or not had children, the statistical balance has tipped in favor of childless families. In 1991, 48.9% of families included children under 18, down from 52.1% in 1980 and 55.8% in 1970, according to a Census Bureau report released Wednesday. COURT HEARS ABORTION ARGUMENTS: The Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday on a Pennsylvania abortion law requiring parental consent for minors, spousal notification and a 24-hour waiting period. Justices will vote Friday and assign the drafting of opinions and dissents, but no public release of opinion is expected before June. Tougher abortion laws from Guam, Louisiana and Utah may go to the court in the fall. MORE NYC CABBIES IMMIGRANTS: Nearly 90% of New York cabbies are immigrants, according to the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission's first survey, out Wednesday. The survey said 89% are immigrants, up from almost 75% in 1985. The most common language is Urdu, spoken in Pakistan. The Taxi Commission said Wednesday that non-English speaking applicants will have to take an extra 40 hours of English training. ABUSER GUILTY ON 99 COUNTS: Robert Kelly Jr. was convicted Wednesday of 99 of 100 counts of rape and related crimes against children in North Carolina's day-care child abuse case. National child-abuse groups called the verdict a landmark victory. The verdict touched off a celebration among parents keeping a vigil in the state's longest and costliest trial. The Little Rascals Day Care Center in Edenton is now closed. DUKE BOWS OUT OF GOP RACE: David Duke Wednesday gave up his presidential campaign after having already disappeared in the GOP race. He was short of money, kept off ballots and won no delegates. His quest, which was based on welfare reform, opposition to immigration and affirmative action and a flat tax, lost steam when candidate Pat Buchanan presented similar ideas without the Ku Klux Klan taint of Duke's past. CARPOOLING IS OUT THE WINDOW: Driving to work alone became even more widespread in the past decade, 1990 Census numbers show. The new numbers reflect trends just in the Washington, D.C., area but experts say the pattern occurred across the USA. "Car pooling has fallen into the tank. Transit ... held steady. Walking to work is down," says consultant Alan Pisarski. Findings are being released state by state. ABORTION PROTESTERS JAILED: Nearly 200 Operation Rescue demonstrators were jailed Wednesday after a failed attempt to blockade an Amherst, N.Y., abortion clinic. The mass arrests were the first in the Buffalo-area campaign against abortion. About 160 demonstrators were expected to remain jailed because they won't provide their names. Protest leader Joe Slovenec said protests would continue. REPATRIATION CAN RESUME: The Supreme Court Wednesday in a 5-4 ruling allowed the federal government to resume repatriation of some fleeing Haitians. Also, the Immigration and Naturalization Service is altering its rules to "detain those persons most likely to abscond or to pose a threat to public safety." That could mean refugees lacking valid travel documents who arrive in the USA seeking political asylum. MUCH OF USA TO BE NICE: Much of the USA will enjoy tranquil weather Thursday. The Northeast will be nice, with pleasant breezes. The Mississippi valley eastward will be sunny and warm. Showers will dampen much of the Ohio Valley. Sunshine will prevail throughout the Southwest and southern California. The Northwest will be partly sunny with possible showers in the mountains. DOW JONES OPENS ON DOWNSWING: The Dow Jones average of 30 industrials opens Thursday at 3338.77, after closing down 4.48 Wednesday. The New York Stock Exchange composite opens at 225.42, down 0.28. The American Stock Exchange market value opens at 386.35, down 0.38. The NASDAQ OTC composite opens at 578.23, up 3.18. News Editor: Beth Mann. (919-855-3491) Making copies of USA TODAY Update (Copyright, 1992) for further distribution violates federal law. This article is copyright 1992 Gannett News Service. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM