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News

Environment

New Federal Fuel-Efficiency Rules Limit State Input

A little-noticed provision in new federal fuel-efficiency standards for cars and trucks makes it much harder for states to set their own levels for how many miles per gallon vehicles should achieve.

New Federal Fuel-Efficiency Rules Limit State Input

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World

Chirac Says He Will Sign Modified Youth-Jobs Law

French president Jacques Chirac tells the nation that he will sign a controversial new youths-job law, but that the time period in which an employee younger than 26 could be fired would be reduced to one year. Also an employer would be obligated to give a reason for any dismissal.

Chirac Says He Will Sign Modified Youth-Jobs Law

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National

New York Releases One-Sided 911 Recordings

Under court order, New York releases police and fire 911 dispatch tapes from Sept. 11, 2001. The tapes contain only one side of the conversations. Police and fire operators can be heard, but people inside the World Trade Center have been edited out.

New York Releases One-Sided 911 Recordings

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World

Rice Greeted by Protests During Visit to England

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is greeted by protests during a visit to Blackburn, Lancashire, the hometown of British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw. Muslims and anti-war activists protested outside a high school where Rice was speaking. Twenty percent of the Blackburn population is Muslim.

Rice Greeted by Protests During Visit to England

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Tom DeLay to Resign from Congress

Former DeLay Aide Pleads Guilty in Abramoff Inquiry

Tony Rudy, a former aide to Texas Congressman Tom DeLay, pleads guilty in the investigation of lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his relationship with members of Congress. It's the first guilty plea in that investigation, but it may not be the final one, leaving lawmakers associated with Abramoff nervous.

Former DeLay Aide Pleads Guilty in Abramoff Inquiry

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Iraq

Army Bans Non-Military Issued Body Armor

The U.S. Army says it has banned the use of body armor that is not issued by the military. Army officials say any soldier wearing commercially purchased body armor will have to turn it in and have it replaced by authorized gear. Military officials said they cannot guarantee the commercial gear's safety.

Army Bans Non-Military Issued Body Armor

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National

Chicago's 'L' Train Gets New Branch: The Pink Line

The Chicago Transit Authority has picked the color pink for the name of a branch of the "L" train. So what does Chicago -- home of the Bears, the Bulls and Mike Ditka -- think of the "Pink Line"?

Chicago's 'L' Train Gets New Branch: The Pink Line

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National

Pro-Immigrant March Planned for Costa Mesa, Calif.

Organizers of last week's massive pro-immigrant march in Los Angeles have turned their sights to Costa Mesa in Orange County. The city has allied itself with U.S. Immigration and Customs to question and detain illegal immigrants. Opponents of that practice are planning a protest rally for Saturday.

Pro-Immigrant March Planned for Costa Mesa, Calif.

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Business

Delphi Asks Judge to Void Labor Contract

Delphi, the nation's largest auto-parts supplier, asks a federal bankruptcy judge to void its labor contract with the United Auto Workers Union. The UAW has warned that its members may strike if the judge approves Delphi's request. Delphi is General Motors' biggest supplier and a strike could cripple the struggling auto giant.

Delphi Asks Judge to Void Labor Contract

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Law

Bid to 'Court Proof' S.D. Abortion Ban May Be in Vain

The South Dakota abortion ban was crafted with court challenges in mind. But that may not materialize if the ban is derailed by popular vote in a ballot initiative.

Bid to 'Court Proof' S.D. Abortion Ban May Be in Vain

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The NCAA Tournament: Final Four Frenzy

Who Was This Guy George Mason?

George Mason University has surprised sports fans by making it to the NCAA Final Four basketball tournament. But who was this George Mason character, anyway? Madeleine Brand talks to a descendent of the founding father about Mason's historical impact -- and his grouchy personality.

Who Was This Guy George Mason?

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Media

Freed Journalist Carroll Headed Home

American journalist Jill Carroll, who was kidnapped in Iraq while reporting for The Christian Science Monitor is expected to return to the United States soon. She was freed Thursday after being kidnapped three months earlier by gunmen. Dan Murphy of the Monitor tells Alex Chadwick about Carroll's ordeal.

Freed Journalist Carroll Headed Home

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Analysis

Moving Toward Better Border Security

Critics of U.S. immigration policy urge enforcement of existing laws instead of creating new ones. Jack Martin of the Federation for American Immigration Reform talks with Alex Chadwick about what ideal border security might look like.

Moving Toward Better Border Security

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Books

Librarian's Picks: Saving the Best for First

Sometimes authors' best works are their first. The tale of an imaginary universe where elevators are really important and the story of the first giraffe in Europe are among librarian Nancy Pearl's selections of must-read literary debuts.

Librarian's Picks: Saving the Best for First

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