world

Rockets explode in central Baghdad

By Alyson Brodsy and Hamza Hendawi · Sunday, March 7,2004 11:22 p.m.

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- At least 10 rockets exploded Sunday night in central Baghdad near the area housing the headquarters of the U.S.-led coalition, officials said. Sirens blared for several minutes, and smoke and flames were visible.

College graduates face tough job market

By Stephanie Frasco · Sunday, March 7,2004 11:19 p.m.

With college seniors across the nation getting ready to graduate, many will be entering a competitive job market, but competition isn't the only challenge they will need to overcome. For the past two years, the economy has been recovering from a recession.

U.S. to ease border restrictions

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, March 4,2004 11:15 p.m.

WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration will back off plans requiring visa-carrying Mexicans who make short visits to America and stay close to the border be fingerprinted and photographed, The Associated Press has learned.

Court overturns 9/11 prisoner's conviction

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, March 4,2004 11:14 p.m.

KARLSRUHE, Germany -- The only person in the world convicted in the Sept. 11 attacks won a retrial Thursday after an appeals court faulted Washington, D.C., for refusing to allow testimony from a key al Qaeda captive.

Around The World

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, March 4,2004 12:50 a.m.

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Wednesday gay and lesbian couples started tying the knot in Portland after the county issued same-sex marriage licenses, joining the rapidly spreading national movement in San Francisco and upstate New York.

French pass Islamic headscarves ban

By Alyson Brodsy and Elaine Ganley · Thursday, March 4,2004 12:29 a.m.

PARIS -- A law banning Islamic headscarves in France's public schools was adopted Wednesday in the Senate by a vote of 276-20.

Three hamas militants killed in Gaza strike

By Alyson Brodsy and Ibrahim Barzak · Thursday, March 4,2004 12:27 a.m.

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip -- An Israeli helicopter strike killed three Hamas militants riding in a car Wednesday, the second such targeted attack in five days and a possible sign Israel is stepping up its campaign against militants ahead of a planned withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.

Eisner rebuked by Disney board

By Alyson Brodsy and Gary Gentile · Thursday, March 4,2004 12:26 a.m.

PHILADELPHIA -- Michael Eisner faced a rebuke of his leadership of The Walt Disney Co. Wednesday as 43 percent of shareholders withheld their support for him in a vote at the company's annual shareholder meeting.

Haitian rebels say they will disarm

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, March 4,2004 12:24 a.m.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti -- Rebel leader Guy Philippe said Wednesday his forces would disarm as U.S. Marines fanned out in the capital -- rifles at the ready -- to help bring order amid Haiti's bloody uprising.

China embraces property rights

By Alyson Brodsy and Audra Ang · Tuesday, March 2,2004 11:25 p.m.

BEIJING -- Communist China is changing its constitution to embrace the most basic tenet of capitalism -- protecting private property rights for the first time since the 1949 revolution. China's parliament is meeting in an annual session starting Friday to endorse the change, already approved by Communist Party leaders who tout privatization as a way to continue the country's economic revolution and help tens of millions of poor Chinese.

U.S. rejects opposition power bid, insists on disarmament

By Alyson Brodsy and Sonya Ross · Tuesday, March 2,2004 11:24 p.m.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Bush administration rejected Tuesday bids for power in Haiti by rebels and insisted they lay down their arms and return to their homes. There is a political process under way to pick up after the departure of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, and "the rebels do not have a role in this process," State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said.

143 killed in Iraq blasts

By Alyson Brodsy · Tuesday, March 2,2004 11:24 p.m.

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Suicide bombers carried out simultaneous attacks on Shiite Muslim shrines in Iraq Tuesday, detonating multiple explosions that ripped through crowds of pilgrims. At least 143 people were killed and 430 wounded -- the bloodiest day since the end of major fighting last May.

Iraqis approve interim constitution

By Alyson Brodsy and Jim Krane · Tuesday, March 2,2004 1:04 a.m.

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Iraqi leaders must still decide on the form of a new government to take power June 30 despite approval of an interim constitution at the end of a protracted and sometimes stormy debate, officials said Monday. Members of the Iraqi Governing Council agreed to the interim constitution before dawn Monday -- two days after the deadline. It establishes a bill of rights and cements compromises on the structure of a future presidency and the role of Islam.

Kerry seeks nomination lock

By Alli Stolper and Writer Alli Stolper · Tuesday, March 2,2004 1 a.m.

Alex Bracke endured insults and jeers this weekend. While campaigning for Sen. John Kerry in Cincinnati, Bracke said student hecklers outside the Xavier University basketball game shouted obscenities as he stood on the street corner waving a "Kerry for President" sign. But the director of IU Students for John Kerry was unfazed. In fact, he said he was thrilled to encounter other college students who weren't apathetic about the election.

Democratic hopefuls fight for ten states in Super Tuesday primaries

By Alyson Brodsy and Ron Fournier · Tuesday, March 2,2004 1 a.m.

John Kerry vowed he would not be another "wishy-washy, mealy-mouthed" Democrat, pledging Monday to wage a bare-knuckled campaign against President Bush as he sought a Super Tuesday sweep to lay claim to the party's nomination. On the eve of their 10-state showdown, John Edwards faced signs of political distress as Kerry's last major Democratic rival -- meager polling, paltry crowds and a growing realization inside his own ranks that the end may be near.

Rebels, U.S. marines enter Haitian capital

Monday, March 1,2004 11:08 p.m.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti -- Rebels rolled into the Haitian capital Monday and were met by hundreds of residents dancing in the streets and cheering the ouster of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. The United States denied allegations Aristide was kidnapped by U.S. forces eager for him to resign and be spirited into exile.

Conference debunks Israeli myths

By Tim Callahan · Monday, March 1,2004 1:20 a.m.

Students from throughout the Midwest attended a summit in Chicago Sunday in an effort to highlight pro-Israeli issues. Hoosiers for Israel sent 20 students to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee event held in the Hyatt Regency Hotel at the O'Hare International Airport.

Bush stands by decision to support ban

By Alyson Brodsy · Monday, March 1,2004 1:16 a.m.

Calling marriage between men and women "the ideal," President Bush defended his decision Friday to seek a constitutional amendment outlawing gay weddings.

3 killed, 18 missing in tanker blast

By Alyson Brodsy and Sonja Barisic · Monday, March 1,2004 12:18 a.m.

PORTSMOUTH, Va. -- The Coast Guard searched the frigid Atlantic Sunday for 18 crew members of a tanker that exploded while carrying 3.5 million gallons of ethanol. Three crewmen were known dead, and six others were rescued.

Conference discusses Russian elections

By Michael Zennie · Monday, March 1,2004 12:15 a.m.

With the elections forthcoming, most experts agree that the presidential race is a foregone conclusion, with the incumbent winning a second term by a majority of 80 percent or more. This is the political climate surrounding the March 14 Russian elections.