Politics

Bush Heckled in Australia

Bush Heckled in Australia
CANBERRA -- Heckled inside and outside Australia's parliament, President Bush on Thursday defended the invasion of Iraq during a symbolic visit to thank Australia for its staunch support in the war on terror. Authorities took the unprecedented step of barring the public from the parliament where Bush spoke on Thursday, backing a special security role for Australia in the Asia-Pacific region that has raised concerns among Asian neighbors. So the heckling did not rattle Bush, who is on his first trip to Australia. The last U.S. president to visit Australia was Bill Clinton in 1996 -- who was also heckled. "I love free speech," quipped Bush, to cheers from the house, having been warned he could face politicians' protests.

More Patriot Act Amendments Unveiled
WASHINGTON -- Lawmakers are looking to make changes to the USA Patriot Act. Amendments to the law that rein in some investigative powers and promote privacy are now being pushed in both houses of Congress. A bill introduced in the House this week suggests six main amendments to the Act, including oversight of online and telephone surveillance methods adopted by the FBI in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Called the Security and Freedoms Ensured (SAFE) Act, House Resolution 3352 is nearly identical to one introduced in the Senate last week.

Senate Votes for Tough Limits on Spam
WASHINGTON - The Senate has voted to impose tough new limits against sending unwanted commercial e-mails, but supporters warned computer users not to expect any immediate end to offers for prescription drugs, cheap loans, herbal remedies and pornography.

U.S., Iraq Plead for Billions to Rebuild
MADRID, Spain -- U.S. and Iraqi officials pleaded for billions to rebuild Iraq at a donors conference that opened Thursday with warnings that they might not get all they need right away. Despite the approval last week of a U.N. resolution setting out Iraq's future course, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan acknowledged that lingering divisions over Washington's role in running the country might deter some donors.

Homesickness Leads U.S. Troops in Iraq to Suicide?
TIKRIT, Iraq -- U.S. soldiers who have committed suicide in Iraq were mostly just desperate to return home, and may have meant only to injure themselves, a military combat stress officer said on Thursday. Officials in Washington said last week at least 13 soldiers have killed themselves in Iraq, representing more than 10 percent of non-combat deaths. More case are being probed.

Power Outage Forces Delay in Sniper Trial
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- A power outage at the courthouse forced officials to cancel Thursday's testimony in the trial of sniper shooting suspect John Allen Muhammad, one day after he gave up acting his own attorney and rehired his lawyers. Sheriff's spokeswoman Paula Miller said a faulty electrical transformer knocked out power to the courthouse early Thursday.

'Grand Theft Auto' under fire in $246M suit
CHICAGO -- A fatal sniping spree by two teen-age Tennessee boys who said they were mimicking the video game "Grand Theft Auto III" has triggered a $246 million damage lawsuit against the game's creator and others. Posted by Editor at October 23, 2003 11:31 AM