USA

Fire officials were investigating a blaze at a Chicago high-rise that killed six people and injured at least seven others, some of them critically. The fire erupted Friday afternoon on the 12th floor of the 35-story Cook County administration building. Employees said they followed orders to evacuate via two stairwells, which began to fill with smoke. Some were told to go back upstairs by firefighters but then couldn't find open doors. Cook County Public Guardian Patrick Murphy called the response "negligence from A to Z." But the fire commissioner said his department didn't order the evacuation and responded "very quickly ... and did some courageous work."

Eight Marine reservists are in custody, accused of mistreating Iraqi prisoners of war, US military officials confirmed Saturday. Two are charged with negligent homicide in the death of an Iraqi at a detention camp near Nasiriyah in June, while the others face lesser charges such as dereliction of duty, assault, and making false statements. The prisoner was found dead after being left with fellow detainees following an interrogation session, The Los Angeles Times reported. The reservists are being held at Camp Pendleton, Calif., and belong to the 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment. A military panel will decide whether any will be court-martialed.

House and Senate negotiators were hoping to finalize wording of a sweeping energy bill, tentatively scheduled for a vote Monday by a joint conference committee. Disputes over $16 billion in energy tax credits and other incentives reportedly were holding up agreement. In a decision that will please environmental groups, a controversial proposal to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska to oil drilling was likely to be dropped from the final version, Sen. Trent Lott (R) of Mississippi indicated late Friday. The measure would also modernize the US electrical grid, promote oil and natural gas drilling, and encourage development of alternative energy sources.

A college student suspected of hiding box cutters on two Southwest Airlines flights, triggering searches of the entire US commercial fleet, is expected to face charges Monday at a federal court in Baltimore, the FBI said. The suspect was identified as Nathaniel Heatwole, a junior at Guilford College, a Quaker institution in Greensboro, N.C., with a history of pacifism and civil disobedience. Heatwole reportedly sent email warnings last month that he planned to place suspicious items on six flights as a test of security.

The Florida Marlins were looking to extend an early World Series lead after beating the New York Yankees 3-2 in Game One Saturday night. The Marlins were better rested for the match. New York clinched its league championship early Friday with a dramatic win over the Boston Red Sox in a game that stretched to 11 innings.

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