Martha Stewart due to report to court
NEW YORK, March 7 (UPI) -- Homemaking diva Martha Stewart has been ordered to report Monday to a probation officer in New York City after her insider-trading convictions.
The 62-year-old Stewart was found guilty Friday of four counts involving trading of her shares in a biotechnology company. She was convicted of obstruction of justice, conspiracy and two counts of lying.
On Monday, Stewart will be notified about her restrictions during the pre-sentence probation period, CNN reported. She is to be sentenced June 17.
Stewart's lawyers have said they will appeal her convictions.
Each charge carries a possible penalty of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
Sharon calls for plan on full Gaza pullout
TEL AVIV, Israel, March 7 (UPI) -- Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has reportedly ordered planning for a full withdrawal of settlers from the Gaza Strip, although no timetable was set.
"I have given the order to plan for the evacuation of 17 settlements in the Gaza Strip," he was quoted as saying in an interview with the Ha'aretz news service.
CNN reported Sharon said he would want agreement by settlers to a withdrawal, first.
The proposed full withdrawal from the Gaza Strip immediately drew criticism from settlers and some politicians. Such a pullback would involve about 7,500 Jews.
Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom, who is opposed to the plan, said no final decision has been reached.
Palestinian Cabinet Minister Saeb Erekat said the withdrawal by settlers would be welcomed.
"If Israel wants to leave Gaza ... no Palestinian will stand in its way," he said.
Water taxi capsizes near Baltimore, 1 dead
BALTIMORE, March 7 (UPI) -- A water taxi carrying 25 people near Baltimore's Inner Harbor capsized Saturday in a squall, leaving one dead and three missing.
Fierce winds overturned the vessel, CNN reported. Rescuers plucked 22 people from the water, including a woman who later died at a hospital. The water temperature was 46 degrees -- low enough to cause hypothermia.
At least three crewmembers were on the boat, owned by Seaport Taxi. A captain and an assistant captain were among those rescued.
Although the craft was equipped with life jackets, fire and police officials believe the intense storm overtook the boat so rapidly no one had time to put the jackets on before the boat was overturned.
Water taxis transport visitors to several destinations in the Inner Harbor, such as the National Aquarium and Fort McHenry, where in 1814, Americans' defense of the fort against the British inspired Francis Scott Key to write "The Star-Spangled Banner."
Israeli forces kill 14 Palestinians
GAZA CITY, March 7 (UPI) -- Israeli forces battling armed Palestinian militants in Gaza Sunday reportedly killed 14 people and wounded 80 others.
Palestinians told the BBC an eight-year-old boy was one of the victims in the fighting that occurred in the al-Buraij and Nuseirat refugee camps in central Gaza.
Israeli officials told the BBC their raids were part of a "pinpoint" operation against Gaza's terrorist infrastructure and included dozens of armored vehicles, helicopters and sniper units.
The BBC said Israeli troops had started searching houses when Palestinian gunmen poured into the streets and challenged them, using explosive devices and firing rocket-propelled grenades.
The violence came only hours after Palestinian militants attacked the Erez crossing point between Israel and Gaza.
