McKinney, Others Held By Israel

Former Georgia Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney and most other members of a group of foreign peace activists seized at sea by the Israeli navy remain in custody after an attempt to run Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip. In the latest attempt by activists to break a crippling two-year blockade of Gaza, a group called the Free Gaza Movement sent the ship loaded with humanitarian supplies and 21 activists and crew from Cyprus. McKinney formerly represented Georgia's Fourth District as a Democrat.

(Associated Press)

GA mission to Israel mulls anti-terror rescue gear

A high-level visit of Georgia political and business leaders to Israel last week, is considering a skyscraper evacuation system developed there for use in terrorism or fire-related incidents.

The tragic events in Mumbai and the changed skyline of New York are reminders of the pride we have in our cities and of the necessity to prepare for another 9/11, a fire or a terrorist hostage-taking situation," said John Oxendine, state insurance and safety fire commissioner.

The Escape Rescue Systems device, is an external evacuation platform stored on the building's roof. A series of five collapsible elevator-like containers can be deployed alongside the structure's windows, and lower 150 people to the ground in under 10 minutes, or deliver up to 25 rescue personnel or police forces, company officials told The Jerusalem Post newspaper.

"With more than 200 tall buildings in Atlanta, we need to consider revolutionary rescue and evacuation solutions, like Escape Rescue System," Oxendine said.

The US Department of Homeland Security has given its stamp of approval to the system as a Qualified Anti-terrorism Technology, according to the report.

Carter meets with Hamas officials

Former President Jimmy Carter is meeting with a Hamas delegation from Gaza, part of a series of talks with the Islamic militant group that has drawn sharp criticism from U.S. and Israeli officials.

An Associated Press reporter saw the Hamas delegation going into the meeting Thursday at a Cairo hotel and a Hamas coordinator in Egypt said they were meeting with Carter. The coordinator spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

The meeting was held under heavy security shortly after Carter met Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

Hamas officials said Wednesday that Carter's meetings with its leaders will boost the group's legitimacy despite criticism by Israel and the U.S. government of the former president's personal peace mission.

Click here for more GPB reports about former President Carter.

(The Associated Press)

Israel honors Coretta Scott King

Israel will name a forest in northern Galilee after Coretta Scott King. The Coretta Scott King Forest will comprise at least 10,000 trees and be a living memorial to King's legacy of peace and justice. King, who died last year, is the widow of the late civil rights leader Doctor Martin Luther King Junior. Two members of the Congressional Black Caucus said the initiative would strengthen ties between blacks and Jews dating back to the early Civil Rights Movement.