world

Switzerland to join U.N.

By Alyson Brodsy · Tuesday, Sept. 10,2002 1:06 a.m.

GENEVA -- Handing out chocolate and special-issue Swatches, the Swiss kicked off ceremonies Monday to end decades of splendid isolation and follow the rest of the world into the United Nations. But in a final gesture of independence, they made it clear they would not change their flag.

Bombs target Iraqi base

By Alyson Brodsy · Monday, Sept. 9,2002 11:21 p.m.

WASHINGTON -- Allied aircraft struck Iraq for the third time in a week, bombing a military facility southeast of Baghdad Monday morning, defense officials said. The attack came after Iraqi forces fired on one of the U.S.-British patrols in the no-fly zone, and it followed bombings on Thursday and Saturday, Pentagon officials said. It brought to 37 the number of strikes reported this year by the United States and the United Kingdom coalition put together to patrol zones in the north and south of Iraq following the 1991 Gulf War.

Afghan public wants U.S. soldiers to disappear

By Alyson Brodsy and Kathy Gannon · Monday, Sept. 9,2002 2:26 a.m.

ASADABAD, Afghanistan -- A shattering explosion rattled the windows Sunday at an Islamic relief organization. "It's the Americans," grumbled Bahader, a stocky, gray-haired employee.

Cheney says Hussein is seeking nuclear weapons

By Alyson Brodsy and Scott Lindlaw · Monday, Sept. 9,2002 1:18 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- The United States is justified in striking any country it believes is planning an attack against America, Vice President Cheney said Sunday, applying the Bush administration's new foreign policy doctrine on pre-emptive military action to Iraq.

Pastors focus on Sept. 11 lessons

By Alyson Brodsy and Rachel Zoll · Monday, Sept. 9,2002 1:17 a.m.

Clergy nationwide sought to draw moral lessons from tragedy and comfort churchgoers during the Sunday services before Sept. 11.

Assassination attempt on Karzai fails

By Alyson Brodsy and Tini Tran · Friday, Sept. 6,2002 2:32 a.m.

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan -- An assailant dressed in the uniform of the new Afghan army fired on a car carrying President Hamid Karzai on Thursday, hours after an explosives-packed car tore through a crowded Kabul market, killing at least 10 people.

Iraq an increasing U.S. threat

By Alyson Brodsy and Robert Burns · Thursday, Sept. 5,2002 11:08 p.m.

LONDON -- Iraq poses an increasing threat that must be met, the defense chiefs of the United States and Britain said Wednesday, showing growing impatience with Saddam Hussein.

Hispanic graduation rate low

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, Sept. 5,2002 11:06 p.m.

U.S.-born children of Hispanic immigrants are nearly as likely as whites to enroll in college, but less than half as likely to earn bachelor's degrees, according to a report released Thursday.

Columbian rebels attack: Indiscriminate terrorism

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, Sept. 5,2002 11:04 p.m.

VILLAVICENCIO, Colombia -- A car bomb exploded in a provincial capital of Colombia Sunday, killing 12 people, wounding dozens and stoking fears that Colombia's civil war is becoming one of indiscriminate terrorist attacks.

Bush to seek approval before taking action

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, Sept. 5,2002 2:38 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- President Bush, opening a public-relations offensive against Saddam Hussein, pledged Wednesday to seek congressional approval before taking action against the Iraqi leader and warned wary allies their "credibility is at stake" as they decide whether to back the United States. The president will argue his case before the United Nations General Assembly next week after a weekend huddle at Camp David with British Prime Minister Tony Blair, virtually alone among overseas leaders in supporting Bush's intent to see Saddam overthrown.

2 Palestinians forced from West Bank

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, Sept. 5,2002 12:27 a.m.

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip -- Israel expelled two Palestinians from the West Bank to the Gaza Strip on Wednesday -- a court-sanctioned step hailed by the military as a powerful deterrent against suicide bombings and condemned by U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan as a violation of international law. It marked the first time Israel uprooted relatives of Palestinian terror suspects.

Powell heckled at summit

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, Sept. 5,2002 12:27 a.m.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa -- Repeatedly interrupted by activists' jeers and protests, Secretary of State Colin Powell defended the United States' environmental record and its efforts to help the poor in the developing world at the World Summit on Wednesday. "The United States is taking action to meet environmental challenges, including global climate change," he said to loud booing from the rear of a hall filled with government leaders and delegates ranging from youth activists to environmentalists.

McDonald's fries getting healthier

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, Sept. 5,2002 12:25 a.m.

CHICAGO -- McDonald's plans to use a new cooking oil for french fries and other fried foods that it says will do less damage to your diet. Nutritionists call the fast food giant's effort to reduce trans fatty acids a good first step but say the change doesn't make french fries a health food.

Fund created for victims' families

Wednesday, Sept. 4,2002 2:40 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- Former President Clinton and former Sen. Bob Dole announced Tuesday they've raised $105 million to create a college fund for families whose relatives were killed or injured in the Sept. 11 attacks. "Any victims' spouses or children -- whether or not they're American citizens -- can qualify," Clinton said on CNN's "Larry King Live." Several corporations and organizations donated money to the effort, along with 20,000 private contributors. Children of victims can apply for scholarships of up to $28,000, depending on their need.

Nuclear weapons nearly ready

Wednesday, Sept. 4,2002 2:29 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration has secret information supporting its claims that Saddam Hussein poses an unacceptable threat to the world and is close to developing nuclear weapons, Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld said Tuesday. President Bush could disclose the information through upcoming congressional hearings on Iraq, Rumsfeld hinted at a Pentagon press conference.

Security talks begin on Hill

Wednesday, Sept. 4,2002 12:52 a.m.

WASHINGTON D.C. -- The Senate opened debate Tuesday on legislation creating a new Homeland Security Department as White House officials voiced confidence that they and Democrats will settle differences over the bill.

Residents return, see damage left by tornado

Wednesday, Sept. 4,2002 12:40 a.m.

LADYSMITH, Wis. -- Residents and business owners returned to downtown Ladysmith Tuesday to inspect the aftermath of a tornado that injured dozens of people and damaged as many as 100 buildings. Some of the people carried video cameras to record images of the tree limbs, glass and boards that littered the sidewalks in this rural northwestern Wisconsin town of 4,000 people. A trailer was left in a bank lobby, and a convenience store roof was wrapped around a tree.

Labor leader Jimmy Hoffa's fate remains a mystery

By Alyson Brodsy · Tuesday, Sept. 3,2002 1:47 a.m.

First of all, he's dead. On that, pretty much everyone agrees. But 27 years after James Riddle Hoffa set off for lunch and found oblivion, instead, his remains have not been found. No one has been arrested for the union leader's murder. His final moments remain a secret, kept by a few. Like Amelia Earhart, like Judge Crater, Jimmy Hoffa may be missing forever. "Unfortunately, this has the markings of a great 'whodunit' novel without the final chapter," prosecutor David Gorcyca said last week. New DNA evidence, he said, was not enough to support state criminal charges in Hoffa's disappearance.

California fire spreads rapidly

By Alyson Brodsy · Tuesday, Sept. 3,2002 12:43 a.m.

AZUSA, Calif. -- A wildfire spread rapidly across 10,000 acres of national forest, sending thousands of holiday campers fleeing. About 8,000 campers, hikers and residents had to leave the Angeles National Forest after the fire erupted Sunday afternoon. Several said they were separated from friends and family and had to leave their belongings behind.

Americans support war with Iraq

Tuesday, Sept. 3,2002 12:34 a.m.

LOS ANGELES -- A majority of Americans support military action to topple Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, although most want the United States to gain approval from other countries first, according to a Los Angeles Times poll. A survey of 1,372 adults nationwide taken last month found that 59 percent of Americans believe the United States should take military action to remove Hussein. Just 29 percent were opposed and 12 percent were unsure.