News stories from Thursday October 9, 1980
Summaries of the stories the major media outlets considered to be of particular importance on this date:
- Iran reported heavy civilian casualties in cities arising from what it said was the first use of surface-to-surface missiles in Iraqi attacks since the full-scale fighting erupted on Sept. 22. Teheran said that at least 170 persons had been killed in two towns on the central front. Reports from both sides indicated that ground forces remained frozen in their positions. [New York Times]
- An Iranian oil port burned and the only discernible evidence that anyone was still in Khurramshahr was bullets fired from the battered port after more than two weeks of heavy fighting. The city looked wrecked and abandoned as Iraqi artillery continued to pump round after round into it. [New York Times]
- The President sought the "high road" in campaigning, acknowledging that he may have been "overly enthusiastic" in his recent attacks on Ronald Reagan. In a swing in the South Mr. Carter repeated previous criticisms but in more positive language. A defense of his environmental record was offered by Ronald Reagan in the aftermath of statements indicating his apparent readiness to relax environmental standards in the hope of reviving industrial production. Mr. Reagan was buoyed by endorsements from the Teamsters union and the National Maritime Union. [New York Times]
- Presidential campaign "flip-flops" were attributed to the major party candidates by John Anderson, the independent candidate. In a speech in Manhattan to the Liberal Party, which supports him, Mr. Anderson called the Carter administration "incompetent and incoherent" and the President's behavior opportunistic. [New York Times]
- A major U.S.-China grain accord is nearly concluded, according to Carter administration officials. They said that the agreement would guarantee the sale of six million to nine million tons of American wheat and corn annually for three years. [New York Times]
- U.S. military readiness was stressed by Defense Secretary Harold Brown, who asserted in a speech that the armed forces "are ready to go to war, if need he, and we are increasingly able to sustain our forces in combat." His assessment differed sharply from ones given by the nation's top military commanders, who have testified that America's military posture has declined in recent years. [New York Times]
- Hydroelectric potential was spurred by the Carter administration, which announced its readiness to provide funds for the installation of generating units in 51 small dams in 18 states, including New York and New Jersey. [New York Times]
- A new confirmation hearing is sought by James Sheffield, a black lawyer nominated by President Carter for a federal judgeship in Virginia. Mr. Sheffield, who is now a state judge in Richmond, plans to rebut charges that he mishandled the money of former clients. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be the first black to become a federal judge in Virginia. [New York Times]
- The mysterious toxic shock syndrome has led specialists to promulgate a variety of theories and to intensify research. Increasing numbers of cases have come to light and there has been deepening confusion over a link between the baffling disease and the use of tampons. Four physicians have suggested that the illness may be caused by a reversal of blood flow. [New York Times]
- A possible method of conception for many women who are now unable to have children was described by scientists of the National Institutes of Health. The new technique, which has produced five successful pregnancies in monkeys, was described by a specialist as a "significant breakthrough." But the specialists said that about two years of further research in animals should precede trying the procedures in humans. [New York Times]
- A development plan in Georgetown, the elegant historic district in Washington, has generated a furor among residents. Nonetheless, with the tacit support of the Interior Secretary, a consortium is pressing ahead with plans to construct on the banks of the Potomac a massive building that is to hold shops, offices and condominiums. [New York Times]
- Water rationing has failed to produce a mandatory 25 percent cut in consumption in northern New Jersey, particularly in major cities, state officials said. Governor Byrne urged two major water suppliers to begin buying the small amount of water available from New York City and he instructed aides to prepare a plan to draw water from two recreational lakes and an abandoned iron mine. [New York Times]
- Millions are facing starvation because of drought and warfare in East Africa, but efforts by private relief agencies to send food, medical supplies and other necessities to the region are hampered by a lack of funds attributed to a lack of public awareness. A United Nations agency said that at least 12 million people, more than half of them children, face the threat of famine. [New York Times]
- Peking may exact death sentences for the "Gang of Four" radical leaders who are accused of sedition. That likelihood was increased when an official newspaper reprinted a report about a conditional death sentence meted out to one of their followers. [New York Times]
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Stock Market Report
Dow Jones Industrial Average: 958.96 (-5.03, -0.52%)
Arms Index is the ratio of volume per declining issue to volume per advancing issue; a figure below 1.0 is bullish. | |||||||||||||||
| Market Index Trends | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | DJIA | S&P | Volume* |
| October 8, 1980 | 963.99 | 131.65 | 46.58 |
| October 7, 1980 | 960.67 | 131.00 | 50.31 |
| October 6, 1980 | 965.70 | 131.73 | 50.12 |
| October 3, 1980 | 950.68 | 129.33 | 47.50 |
| October 2, 1980 | 942.24 | 128.09 | 46.16 |
| October 1, 1980 | 939.42 | 127.13 | 48.71 |
| September 30, 1980 | 932.42 | 125.46 | 40.29 |
| September 29, 1980 | 921.93 | 123.54 | 46.40 |
| September 26, 1980 | 940.10 | 126.35 | 49.43 |
| September 25, 1980 | 955.97 | 128.72 | 49.51 |