May 07, 2006
Sunday

Goss resigns as CIA director

In a surprise, CIA Director Porter Goss resigned Friday. "He has led ably," President Bush said. He didn't name a successor. Goss, a former congressman from Florida and head of the House Intelligence Committee, had been CIA director only since September 2004. Goss was described as having poor relations with the CIA's clandestine service.

A million people march for immigration

More than 1 million mostly Mexican and Hispanic immigrants and those in sympathy with their cause marched in at least two dozen major U.S. cities Monday in the national "Day Without Immigrants" boycott that also shut down thousands of businesses. The event was meant to demonstrate the vast size of the nation's growing immigrant presence and to urge Congress not to pass legislation punishing illegal immigrants. The largest demonstrations occurred in Los Angeles and Chicago, where police estimated crowds at 400,000 in each city.

Federal jury refuses to put Moussaoui to death

A federal jury rejected U.S. prosecutors' call for the death penalty for admitted al Qaeda conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui after seven days of deliberations. He will spend the rest of his life in prison instead. Several jurors said they believed Moussaoui had limited knowledge of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Other jurors said he played only a minor role in the attacks.

New Orleans mayor promises better evacuation for next storm

New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin promised Tuesday that his city will mobilize trains and buses to evacuate residents rather than rely on the Superdome or Convention Center as shelters for people left behind in a citywide hurricane evacuation. He said that there will never be another "shelter of last resort in the event of a major hurricane coming our way." More than 1,000 mostly poor people died during Hurricane Katrina last year because they didn't own a car or other means to evacuate their city.

Britain and France seek U.N. sanctions against Iran

Setting the stage for an international standoff over Iran's nuclear ambitions, Britain and France proposed a U.N. Security Council resolution Wednesday to seek a legally binding resolution against Tehran to "suspend all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities" of uranium. Failure to abide would open Iran to U.N. sanctions. The measure, supported by the United States but opposed by Russia and China, is scheduled for a Security Council vote Monday.

Bolivia president seizes natural-gas industry

Fulfilling a campaign promise, President Evo Morales ordered the nationalizing of Bolivia's large natural-gas industry Monday, sending troops to guard 56 gas fields and ordering Western corporations to negotiate new contracts with Bolivia's leftist government within six months. The Morales government announced Tuesday it will extend its control over mining and forestry interests as well to give it greater authority over Bolivia's natural resources. Morales also campaigned last year on a promise to forge closer ties with Cuba's Fidel Castro and Venezuela's Hugo Chavez while distancing Bolivia from U.S. policies.

Hearings begin into West Virginia mine disaster

Family and friends of 12 dead coal miners wept, prayed and protested Tuesday as West Virginia officials began a two-day hearing into the explosion and slow rescue operations at the Sago Mine. Officials with International Coal Group, which owns the mine, said they believe lightning set off a methane gas explosion. Several family members demanded to know why emergency oxygen equipment failed to work properly and why documentation of mine operations seems to have disappeared. "Did our dad have to die?" Peggy Cohen demanded, referring to miner Fred Ware.

Limbaugh agrees to random drug tests

Conservative radio talk-show host Rush Limbaugh agreed Monday to undergo random drug tests for the next 2-1/2 years in a deal with prosecutors that ends prescription-medicine-fraud charges against him. The investigation began in 2003 when Limbaugh's housekeeper alleged he regularly took OxyContin and other painkillers. "Do you think if there was any real evidence, we would have reached a settlement?" Limbaugh said on his show.

Libby seeks reporters' notes in CIA-leak case

Former vice-presidential chief of staff I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby urged a federal judge Monday to order NBC, The New York Times and Time magazine to turn over reporters' notes, e-mails and unprinted drafts of news stories as part of his defense against charges of obstruction of justice and perjury in the leaking of the identity of CIA operative Valerie Plame. His lawyers said a central issue in the case is whether three reporters are correct in their testimony that he discussed Plame with them separately. Attorneys for the three news organizations sought to limit Libby's subpoenas.

Iraqi leaders meet with insurgents, start new government

Iraqi President Jalal Talabani said Sunday he has been meeting with insurgent representatives to negotiate an end of violence. It was the first time the new government has indicated attempts for a political settlement in Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein. Prime Minister-designate Nouri al-Maliki this week continued choosing his Cabinet for a national unity government, furthering U.S. hopes that a negotiated peace may be possible in Iraq.

Rep. Kennedy cited after crash

Congressman Patrick Kennedy crashed his car near the U.S. Capitol before dawn Thursday and was cited for three traffic violations. A report by a U.S. Capitol Police officer said Kennedy, D-R.I., drove his Mustang convertible into a security barrier. It said Kennedy, the son of Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy, had red, watery eyes, slurred speech and unsteady balance. Kennedy said he took a sleeping pill and another drug, but denied drinking alcohol.

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