Bush unconcerned about bin Laden
WASHINGTON, March 13 (UPI) -- Speaking to reporters during a news conference at the White House on Wednesday, President Bush said that if Saudi fugitive Osama bin Laden is alive, he is still on the run. Bush called bin Laden "the ultimate parasite," but said he is more focused on making certain U.S troops have the resources to fight the war. Bush told reporters he was "stunned" and "plenty hot" when he heard the Immigration and Naturalization Service had issued student visas to two of the Sept. 11 suicide hijackers. Bush said he hopes the INS will reform itself "as quickly as possible."
Ashcroft orders student visa probe
WASHINGTON, March 13 (UPI) -- Attorney General John Ashcroft Wednesday launched an inspector general's investigation into why student visa approvals for two alleged Sept. 11 hijackers had been sent to a Florida flight school. The Immigration and Naturalization Service apparently approved the student visas last summer but notification only arrived at the Florida school on Monday, the six-month anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks. After requesting an investigation from the Justice Department's inspector general's office, Ashcroft called the incident "inexcusable."
Annan anxious about post-election Zimbabwe
UNITED NATIONS, March 13 (UPI) -- U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan Wednesday said he is "anxious about the situation" in Zimbabwe following President Mugabe's re-election and appealed for calm. Annan asked Zimbabweans "to show respect for each other's rights and the democratic process, and to disavow all acts of violence and retribution." The United States condemned the election as "neither free nor fair." Secretary of State Colin Powell said in a statement issued Wednesday, "Mr. Mugabe may claim victory, but not democratic legitimacy."
Italian journalist killed in Middle East
GAZA, March 13 (UPI) -- An Italian photojournalist was killed Wednesday by Israeli troops near the Palestinian refugee camp of Qadoora in the West Bank, medical Palestinian sources reported. Palestinian witnesses and security sources in Ramallah said freelance Italian photographer Raffaele Ciriello, 42, was shot six times in the chest and abdomen while covering the Israeli attempt to raid the Qadoora refugee camp. The medical sources said Ciriello died while en route to a hospital some 25 minutes after being shot. Ciriello is the first foreign journalist killed during the 17-month-old intifada although more than 15 have been hurt.
Putin wishes Izvestia happy 85th birthday
MOSCOW, March 13 (UPI) -- Russia should not lift a moratorium on capital punishment, will leave unchanged the current income tax rate and will pass a law allowing pacifists to serve without arms under an alternative program of military service, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday. The president tackled these and other issues during a rare visit to Moscow's influential Izvestia daily newspaper, which celebrated its 85th anniversary Wednesday. Accompanied by Press Minister Mikhail Lesin, Putin was taken on a tour of the newspaper's offices by Izvestia Editor-in-Chief Mikhail Kozhokin.
'Dr. Chaos' waives hearing
CHICAGO, March 13 (UPI) -- A federal magistrate Wednesday said he is convinced a Wisconsin man who goes by the online moniker, "Dr. Chaos," planned to "cause as much damage to the community as possible" and denied him bond on federal chemical weapons possession charges. Joseph Konopka, 25, originally from De Pere, Wis., was arrested last weekend. Police said he had more than one pound of cyanide and other chemicals stashed in a storage closet in the bowels of the subway system below Chicago's Loop. In a brief appearance, Konopka waived his right to a detention hearing. U.S. Magistrate Edward Bobrick said even if the hearing had occurred he would have ordered Konopka to be held without bond.
Small cars, minivan fail bumper tests
ARLINGTON, Va., March 13 (UPI) -- Three small sedans and the Kia Sedona minivan all performed poorly in low-speed bumper bashing conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The insurance industry group Wednesday said the vehicles sustained from $2,515 to $3,169 damage in four 5 mph crashes. The worst performer was the 2002 Kia Sedona minivan, which had more than $1,000 damage in each of the four tests -- in which the front end is driven into a flat barrier, the rear backed into a flat barrier, the front into angle barrier and the rear into pole. Damage to the Sedona totaled $9,747, an average $2,437 per test. The three cars tested, the Subaru Impreza, Mitsubishi Lancer and Volvo S40, all 2002 models, were rated "marginal."
Mich. software firm sues IBM
DETROIT, March 13 (UPI) -- A suburban Detroit software maker is accusing IBM of stealing its software secrets and monopolizing the market. Compuware Corp. of Farmington Hills, Mich., filed suit in U.S. District Court, accusing IBM of copying code for its mainframes and forcing customers to use IBM mainframe products exclusively. The suit seeks unspecified monetary damages and an agreement from IBM to stop engaging in illegal practices. IBM had no comment on the suit, which was filed Tuesday. Compuware says its mainframe software sales account for about 35 percent of its $2.01 billion in annual revenue. The company and IBM are partners in a computer system developed for Ford Motor Co. Compuware said it has been gathering evidence since 1999.
Weak retail sales push down shares
NEW YORK, March 13 (UPI) -- Share prices ended broadly lower Wednesday, as investors showed their disappointment with retail sales and bearish analyst comments on the chip sector. The major indexes fell on news of a moderate retail rise. Economic expectations had been running in a more optimistic directions, based on other recent economic news. The blue-chip Dow Jones industrial average was down 130.5 points, or 1.23 percent, to close at 10,501.85. The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite index dropped 35.09 points, or 1.85 percent, to close at 1,862.03.
Nancy Lopez scaling back schedule
ALBANY, Ga., March 13 (UPI) -- Nancy Lopez, one of the most dominant women golfers of all time, announced Wednesday 2002 will be her final year as a regular on the LPGA Tour. A tearful Lopez said she will complete this year then reduce her schedule to just two or three events a year. "I will be playing one more full year then playing very few tournaments, maybe two or three a year," Lopez said. "It's time to get on to my other life -- my family." The 45-year-old Lopez won 48 times on tour, including three majors. One of the most recognizable golfers in LPGA history, she helped bring the tour to prominence. During her illustrious career, Lopez has captured the LPGA Championship three times and was runner-up at the U.S. Women's Open on four occasions.
