News stories from Saturday August 15, 1981
Summaries of the stories the major media outlets considered to be of particular importance on this date:
- A boycott by Portugal's controllers of flights to and from the United States for a 48-hour period beginning tomorrow night was planned as gesture of support for the American strikers, but it was not expected to seriously disrupt trans-Atlantic air travel. The Portuguese normally handle 40 to 50 American flights a day. The boycott was scheduled to begin at 8 P.M. and continue through 8 P.M. Tuesday. [New York Times]
- An increase in the budget deficit by $15 billion to $20 billion over President Reagan's original projections is possible, his economic advisers have informed him less than a month after Congress approved his program of cuts in spending and taxes. The President had predicted that the 1982 deficit would be $42.5 billion in a budget totaling $695.5 billion. [New York Times]
- A wider use of nuclear energy is a key part of the United States policy on nuclear power now being set by the administration and expected to be announced by President Reagan next month. According to a draft of the statement, the President will recommend that the United States "move expeditiously but wisely" to remove governmental barriers to the wider use of nuclear energy. [New York Times]
- Washington has signs of luxury everywhere as the many well-to-do officials of the Reagan administration have been conspicuously spending their own money. The officials, many successful in business, brought with them their accustomed way of life, emphasizing good living, symbolized by jewels, fine clothing, costly homes, expensive cars and many parties. [New York Times]
- As the dollar grew stronger against foreign currencies, New York City's tourism declined for the first time since the 1976 Bicentennial and is sufficiently serious to affect businesses and the city's treasury. Hotels have high vacancy rates, guided tours are often half-booked or canceled, and reservations are no longer necessary in some restaurants. Except for visitors from Canada and Mexico, visitors from abroad are much fewer. [New York Times]
- Moscow took a conciliatory tone toward the Polish Communist Party's efforts to end months of turmoil in a communique that followed a meeting in the Crimea of Polish leaders with Leonid Brezhnev and other Soviet officials. The communique represented the Soviet Union as backing the Polish party's efforts to gain control of the domestic situation, and described the 24-hour meeting as having "passed in an atmosphere of fraternal friendship and comradely mutual understanding." [New York Times]
- Global food grain production is at record levels, but there are more hungry people in the world than ever before, both in individual numbers and as a percentage of the world population. According to most estimates, more than 500 million people -- about one out of every nine -- suffer from serious malnutrition. [New York Times]
- Full rapport with Chinese scholars that had been expected by American scientists and educators after the promises of good will and exchange of ideas made three years ago has not occurred. China is not cooperating, according to Americans, who say they are not being given access to the Chinese people and China's archives. American college leaders are talking about reconsidering their willingness to cooperate in the exchanges. [New York Times]