News In Brief
THE DAY'S LIST
Forget the Political Tour, Have Fun in the Capital
Those weary of election-year politics can find plenty to enjoy in Washington without putting one toe on the White House lawn. Here's a list of apolitical things to do in D.C.
1. Botanic Garden
2. National Air and Space Museum
3. National Zoo
4. Folger Shakespeare Library
5. Library of Congress
6. American Film Institute
7. National Symphony Orchestra
8. Georgetown's Blues Alley
9. National Gallery of Art
10. Textile Museum
- Associated Press
THE US
The White House expressed "great concern" about a large surge in drug use among teenagers. Drug use among 12- to 17-year-olds rose 78 percent from 1992 to 1995, according to a study to be released by the Department of Health and Human Services. The highest increase was in the use of LSD and cocaine. Marijuana use rose 37 percent. Drug use among adults remains unchanged. Also, drug- related emergency-room visits since 1992 rose 96 percent for marijuana, 58 percent for heroin, and 19 percent for cocaine.
Retired Gen. Colin Powell set off with Bob Dole on a campaign trip to address war veterans in Louisville, Ky. Earlier, House Speaker Newt Gingrich said Powell had agreed to be secretary of state if Dole becomes president. But Powell's spokesman said the job hasn't been offered yet.
The US trade gap with China exceeded the deficit with Japan for the first time in history, but the overall deficit narrowed dramatically, the Commerce Department reported. Imports fell by the largest amount in five years. Goods and services fell to $8.11 billion in June, down 23 percent from a revised $10.55 billion deficit for May.
The State Department ordered the expulsion of a Cuban diplomat within one week. The action was in retaliation for Cuba's expulsion of a US diplomat in Havana specializing in human rights issues, who was told to leave Cuba by today for engaging in improper activities. Earlier, the US told officials of a Mexican telephone company their US visas will be revoked this fall because the company operates in Cuba on land confiscated from ITT Corp.
Polls gave conflicting results on the Clinton-Dole race. The New York Times/CBS poll found President Clinton with an 11 point edge. But Gallup/CNN/USA Today reported just a 5 percent spread, as did an ABC survey. A Newsweek/Princeton Survey Research poll found Republican Dole behind by only three points.
Former Arkansas Gov. Jim Guy Tucker was sentenced to four years of probation with 1-1/2 years of home detention for fraudulently obtaining and using federally backed loans. He was also ordered to pay a $25,000 fine and $150,000 in restitution, plus $120,000 in interest, to the Small Business Administration. And he must lecture junior- and senior-high school assemblies on values, responsibility, and respect for authority. The judge cited Tucker's health problems as a factor in not sending him to jail. Susan McDougal was also due to be sentenced.
Investigators recovered the "black box" data and voice recorders in good condition from the wreckage of the White House transport plane that crashed in the Grand Tetons, killing nine people.
The Green Party unanimously chose consumer advocate Ralph Nader as its presidential candidate during its convention in Los Angeles. Nadar says as president he would fight against corporate welfare and isn't concerned about drawing votes away from increasingly right-leaning "George Ronald Clinton."
Black households are becoming an increasingly potent force in the US economy, with their buying power expected to rise sharply through the next decade, a study by market research firm Target Market News Inc. of Chicago says. Income for blacks increased to $324 billion last year from $304.5 billion.
Richard Jewell, a suspect in the Centennial Olympic Park bombing, passed a lie detector test. A test examiner hired by his lawyer says based on the test, he's sure Jewell didn't do it. Also, Jewell is considering whether he has grounds to sue the FBI and the news media over the way they treated him since the July 27 explosion, a lawyer for Jewell said.
CIA director John Deutch said he won't be leaving his post at the end of the year, contradicting a Washington Post report last week, which said he would quit. The Post quoted a person identified as a friend of Deutch who also said the former deputy defense secretary hoped to succeed William Perry as defense secretary if Clinton is reelected.
THE WORLD
Thousands of Chechen civilians fled Grozny after the Russian commander gave them 48 hours to get out before Russian troops launched massive air attacks against the capital. But fleeing refugees found themselves running right into the middle of the fighting, as Russian troops fired on the escape corridor. Also, Russian security chief Alexander Lebed challenged the authenticity of presidential decrees on the Chechnya crisis, raising speculation on whether President Yeltsin is still running Russia. Aides insist Yeltsin is fine, but he remained out of sight. Lebed plans to journey to Chechnya today.
The US and its allies in Geneva criticized India for its formal veto of a nuclear test ban treaty and vowed to bypass New Delhi's opposition. India's ambassador said the fault lay with the declared nuclear powers for insisting on a treaty that would let them keep their arsenals forever. India had campaigned for a treaty that included a commitment from the powers to eliminate their nuclear stockpiles within a set time frame.
Israel said it did not want a confrontation with Syria a day after Prime Minister Netanyahu warned conflict in Lebanon would be bad for Damascus. Also, Israel test-launched its Arrow 2-antimissile missile, an Israel Aircraft Industries spokeswoman said. The launch came a day after Israeli television reported that Syria had test-launched a Scud-C missile capable of hitting many Israeli cities.
Burundi's military ruler Pierre Buyoya is opposed to expulsions of Rwandan Hutu refugees and is investigating the reasons behind their movement, his spokesman said. Meanwhile, aid agencies in Butare, Rwanda, prepared to receive thousands of refugees fleeing Burundi because of pressure from the Tutsi-dominated Army. A UN official said he expects Magara Camp, the largest, to be emptied of its 45,000 people in two-to-three days.
South Korean riot police stormed a campus in Seoul, ending nine days of violent protests. Wielding batons and tear gas, and backed by helicopters and assault troops, they arrested about 1,000 mostly female student activists. Another 1,000 or so students holed up in a science building used the confusion to flee. In all, about 3,225 students were arrested, bringing the total to around 5,500. They had been demonstrating for reunification with North Korea in violation of South Korean law.
Australia's government announced sweeping spending cuts in its annual budget, despite two days of protests by thousands of Aborigines, labor unionists, and students. The $5.5 billion in cuts over two years are an effort to balance Australia's estimated $4.4 billion annual deficit. But protesters call the reforms - which include hits to welfare programs for Aborigines, funding for state universities, and the unemployed - unfair.
Taiwan's Vice President Lien Chan broke China's diplomatic embargo to visit Kiev, Ukraine. His visit raises the possibility of a diplomatic confrontation between the Ukraine and China.
Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis is likely to call for early elections Friday, officials said. The faltering economy and tensions with Turkey are spurring the move.
Mexican officials said they were confident they would catch the kidnappers of a Japanese executive hours after a $2 million ransom purchased his freedom. He was found unharmed after being kidnapped in Tijuana about a week ago.
German officials arrested two businessmen on suspicion of smuggling technology to Libya that could be used to make nerve gas. A third suspect was still at large.
ETCETERAS
"The whole city is on its way out. We've been in a basement for 14 or 15 days and couldn't stand it any more."
-- Chechen refugee Nina Madayeva after fleeing Grozny. The Russians gave civilians 48 hours to leave the city.
Is your palate a bit jaded? Try honey-glazed ants over ice cream. That was one choice at "Buggette Feast" - a banquet of insect dishes in Lanesboro, Minn., organized by Naturalist Rhan Flatin, who is compiling a recipe book. Creepie-crawer connoisseurs also sampled lollipops with bugs in the middle and cricket Marsala.
The world's most accomplished chess computer is getting a second chance: The IBM supercomputer "Deep Blue" will try again next May to defeat Garry Kasparov during a six-game match in Manhattan. Deep Blue's research team is holding daily brainstorming sessions in preparation for the rematch.
The Santa Barbara, Calif., ranch where former president Ronald Reagan was frequently photographed splitting wood or riding a horse is up for sale. Known as Rancho del Cielo, the secluded property spans 680 acres. Reagan's son said bids may start at $5.95 million.
