EVENTS
MORE VIOLENT CRIME VICTIMS IN U.S. The number of violent crime victims in the United States increased nearly 6 percent in 1993, continuing a seven-year upward trend, according to a Justice Department report released yesterday. The annual survey by the Bureau of Justice Statistics found that the increase stemmed mainly from more attempted assaults and robberies. Crime continues as a major election-year issue. President Clinton last month signed into law a $30 billion anticrime bill designed to put more police on the streets and more criminals behind bars. While the number of completed violent crimes eased slightly last year, attempted assaults and other offenses, including threats involving weapons, rose, contributing to the overall gain. In all, the survey estimated a total of 44 million crimes in 1993. ATF raid leaders fired
Two federal agents have been fired for their roles in leading the ill-fated raid on Branch Davidian cult leader David Koresh and about 100 of his followers. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms fired Charles Sarabyn and Phillip Chojnacki, both based in Houston, effective Friday. The men deny wrongdoing. The Feb. 28, 1993, raid resulted in a 51-day standoff, which ended when fire destroyed the compound. Seventy-nine cult members died, including Koresh.
Times endorses Wilson
The Los Angeles Times yesterday endorsed Republican Gov. Pete Wilson for reelection, the first gubernatorial endorsement by the newspaper since 1970. The Times praised Wilson as a ``firm, hands-on administrator'' but criticized his support of Proposition 187, a ballot measure that would deny education and nonemergency care to illegal immigrants.
Russia halts uranium
Customs officials in central Russia sent back to Tajikistan nine containers of unprocessed uranium apparently bound for the United States, Itar-Tass news agency said yesterday. The shipment, weighing 160 metric tons in all, was impounded on Friday after officials found it on a train at Sol-Iletsk, 50 miles south of Orenburg in the Urals, Tass said.
Prince Philip in Israel
In the first visit to Israel by a member of the British royal family, Prince Philip arrived yesterday for a ceremony honoring his mother, the late Princess Alice of Greece, for saving Greek Jews during World War II. The Duke of Edinburgh, husband of Queen Elizabeth II, will meet today with members of the Cohen family whom his mother hid during the Nazi occupation of Greece.
Leaning Tower of London?
The British Parliament's Big Ben clock tower is starting to tilt slightly and could become London's own leaning tower. Tunneling work nearby is reportedly responsible.
