USA

Via phone calls and meetings, President Bush and senior officials worked urgently to secure passage of a UN Security Council resolution giving Iraq until March 17 to disarm. With either France or Russia likely to veto it, however, the administration continued to stress that a rejection would not necessarily stop the US from taking military action. Further complicating plans for a possible war, were North Korea's second missile test in two weeks and a report in Time magazine that Iran may be closer than previously thought to building a nuclear device. Secretary of State Powell told CNN Sunday that Time's report underscored the case for ousting Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein because it showed how a determined regime can deceive inspectors.

A crash following a high-speed chase near California's border with Mexico killed two men and injured 20 others, including a young boy. Border Patrol agents were pursuing a stolen Chevrolet pickup truck carrying suspected illegal immigrants, when it went out of control as the driver swerved to avoid a tire-puncturing spike strip.

Elsewhere in California, a collision of two tour buses injured more than 100 people and caused major tie-ups Sunday on a main highway linking the state and Las Vegas. The California Highway Patrol said the first bus braked suddenly and rear-ended a car ahead of it, then was struck from behind by the second bus.

Children who watch violent TV shows and identify strongly with the characters are more likely to behave aggressively as adults, according to a study published in the journal Developmental Psychology. Researchers interviewed more than 300 people 15 years after noting of their childhood viewing habits. Those who watched shows such as "Starsky and Hutch" and "Charlie's Angels" were more likely to have shoved a spouse or have a criminal conviction or speeding tickets. Shows that depict violence as heroic had more influence on behavior than those in which violent criminals are punished, researchers said.

The cast of "Chicago" won best ensemble and the film netted best actress and supporting actress nods for Renee Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones respectively, at the Screen Actors Guild Awards Sunday. The ceremony is the last major honor before the industry's biggest event, the Oscars, March 23. In television, "Everybody Loves Raymond," on CBS, was awarded the comedy ensemble trophy.