News stories from Saturday December 1, 1979
Summaries of the stories the major media outlets considered to be of particular importance on this date:
- The deposed Shah of Iran left New York Hospital at 4:25 A.M., according to police who announced his departure. Top secrecy by the Shah's personal security force had surrounded both his preparation and departure. The Shah's destination remained a mystery, but a plane at La Guardia Airport was preparing for takeoff, presumably with the former Iranian monarch on board. [New York Times]
- United States officials warned an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council that American patience with Iran was wearing thin and that swift action by the world body was needed. Donald McHenry, the U.S. chief delegate, demanded the release of the hostages and the embassy restored, adding "These are not negotiable matters." [New York Times]
- The hostages' captors said they had identified C.I.A. personnel in the American Embassy in Teheran, increasing U.S. concern over the safety of the 50 hostages, now in the 28th day of captivity. The administration had no substantive comment about the purported document which reportedly warned of "the great sensitivity locally to any hint of C.I.A. activity." [New York Times]
- Congress will attempt this week to break the impasse on the proposed "windfall" oil profits tax, according to the Senate majority leader, Robert Byrd, through a compromise that would generate about $200 billion in revenues, some $70 billion more than the bill proposes. [New York Times]
- An end of aid to gifted blacks that had been provided by residents of Shorewood, Wis., for a school integration program is one sign of what appears to reflect a toughening mood among whites, including many who supported black demands in the 60's. Starting in 1969, white parents in Shorewood gave $20,000 a year to a program known as "A Better Chance." The contributions have stopped, and in other cities there is similar evidence that whites who support the ideal of integration are increasingly unable to support its mechanics. [New York Times]
- Religious broadcasts are growing as a sector of the communications industry. The number of religion-oriented radio and television stations and cable systems grows each week, and paid religious broadcasting is estimated to be a $500 million-a-year business. The trend toward paid broadcasting has brought much criticism from older, established churches. [New York Times]
- Indiana is suing Ford Motor over its Pinto car, which has been involved in other suits, and awaiting a ruling from a judge in Detroit on attempts to subpoena officials of the company. In the first suit over the car brought by an arm of government, the state of Indiana charges that Ford officials knew beforehand that the design of the fuel tank in certain Pinto models was unsafe, but failed to take corrective action. The suit arises from the death of three young people from Elkhart, Ind., who were burned to death when the Pinto in which they were riding was struck in the rear. [New York Times]
- Nearly two feet of snow fell on Buffalo, N.Y., stranding hundreds of people and blocking many roads. The storm started Friday morning and swept across the Buffalo area. Two deaths were attributed to the storm. [New York Times]