USA
Amid signs of entrenched resistance by Iraqi fighters, President Bush said US-led forces are advancing "day by day" and would oust Saddam Hussein's regime "however long it takes." In a news conference with British Prime Minister Tony Blair concluding a two-day summit at Camp David, Md., the two leaders urged the UN to resume its oil-for-food program immediately, and Blair said the US and Britain would seek new resolutions on humanitarian help, postwar governance, and territorial integrity for Iraq. Under political fire at home for his strong support of the conflict, Blair reportedly came seeking greater UN involvement.
An investigation is under way into whether Iraq executed prisoners of war, US military officials said. Appearing on CNN's "Larry King Live," Gen. Peter Pace, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, claimed Iraq had done so and committed other war crimes, but other defense officials said the issue remains under investigation. In recent videos that Iraqi television said showed dead US soldiers, several appeared to have been shot in the head, execution-style. Iraq is thought to be holding at least seven Americans captive.
Antiwar protesters lay down on New York's busy Fifth Avenue, briefly blocking traffic Thursday morning as part of a day of rallies and acts of civil disobedience. Others planned to target media offices over what they regard as biased coverage by journalists "embedded," or traveling, with the US military in Iraq.
California deserves $3.3 billion in refunds for price-gouging by Enron Corp. and more than 30 other firms during the 2000-01 energy crisis, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) ruled Wednesday. The panel also proposed stripping bankrupt Enron, along with Reliant Resources and BP PLC, of wholesale trading privileges. California Gov. Gray Davis (D) appeared dissatisfied, calling on FERC to "show me the money" - the $8.9 billion in compensation he has sought.
After less than a day of deliberations, a federal jury acquitted Tyson Foods and three managers charged with conspiring to hire illegal immigrants at its US meat-processing plants. The trial in Chattanooga, Tenn., resulted from a four-year investigation by undercover agents. A spokesman for Tyson said the verdict shows it made "a concerted effort to hire properly and abide by the law."
Former US Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D) of New York, who died Wednesday in Washington, was known for his scholarly approach to politics. In addition to four terms in the Senate, Moynihan served in four administrations, including as UN ambassador for President Ford, and was author or editor of 19 books. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D) of New York called her predecessor "a man of passion and understanding for what really makes the country work."
