Judges grant Obama request to suspend 9/11 trials

President Obama's request to suspend all war crimes trials at Guantanamo was promptly accepted by military judges Wednesday in what may be the beginning of the end for the Bush administration's system of trying alleged terrorists.

The judges agreed to the 120-day halt the cases of five men charged in the Sept. 11 attacks and a Canadian accused of killing an American soldier in Afghanistan. Similar orders are expected in other pending cases before the Guantanamo military commission.

The five men charged in the Sept. 11 attacks had said they wanted to plead guilty to charges that carry the potential death sentences they say could make them martyrs. The …

Settlement Proposed in Indian Land Case

WASHINGTON - The U.S. government has proposed paying $7 billion to settle lawsuits over the management of Indian trust lands - an offer met with immediate objections from Indian plaintiffs.

At issue is a decade-old lawsuit by Indians against the government claiming that the government has mismanaged more than $100 billion in oil, gas, timber and other royalties held in trust from their lands dating back to 1887.

The litigation, filed in 1996 by Blackfeet Indian Elouise Cobell, deals with individual Indians' lands. Several tribes have also sued, claiming mismanagement of their lands.

Senate Indian Affairs Committee Chairman Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., said he will hold …

Protecting the Public's Health.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)

AUSTIN, Texas -- Gay Dodson empathizes with the frustrations and problems expressed by retail pharmacies and pharmacists in Texas -- she has firsthand experience working behind the pharmacy counter for a number of chains.

But although she understands those concerns, neither pharmacies nor pharmacists are the major focus of her responsibilities.

"We're here to protect the public health and safety," says Dodson, executive director/secretary of the Texas State Board of Pharmacy.

Still, she points out, the agency's mission does not preclude safeguarding the approximately 5,400 pharmacies and 19,000 pharmacists that are licensed in Texas.

Dodson, who has been with the agency for 17 years, believes the rules and regulations -- and consequences for violating those statutes -- serve the best interests of patients, pharmacists …

Releases.(TIPS & LEADS)

Dependable Designs dba Dependable Designs Inc., $3,268.02 in Employment Security Dept. taxes was released. Filed June 27.

Luke David Acker dba LDA Construction, $780.44 in unpaid Employment Security Dept. taxes was released. Filed May 30.

ALC Bellingham LLC dba American Laser Centers, $591.67 unpaid IRS taxes. Filed June 15.

Thomas J. Jones, $90,327.07 in unpaid IRS taxes was released. Filed May 16.

Andrew and Debra K. Pentescu, $4,973.79 in unpaid IRS taxes was released. Filed May 16.

D & S Construction Inc., $86,131.80 in unpaid IRS taxes was released. Filed May 16.

Glenn R. and Paula L. Spencer, $1,531.23 in unpaid IRS …

30 DIE IN FIGHTING OVER STOLEN FOOD IN SOMALIA.(Main)

Byline: Didrikke Schanche Associated Press

Thirty people were killed in fighting that broke out Sunday in Somalia after food intended for starving people was stolen by looters, a radio report said.

The United Nations had sent two planeloads of food over the weekend to Baidoa, 150 miles northwest of the capital of Mogadishu. Aid officials say hundreds of people are dying there daily, victims of the combined effects of drought and war. Officials said the United States is working to send 145,000 tons of food.

Mogadishu radio, which broadcasts in support of interim President Gen. Mohamed Ali Mahdi, said Somali Democratic Movement forces fought those of …

Sarajevo marks anniversary of Bosnian massacre

Sarajevo marks the 13th anniversary of a massacre, which prompted NATO's airstrikes and led to the end of Bosnia's 1992-95 war.

Hundreds are attending the ceremony held Thursday in downtown Sarajevo where a mortar shell fired from Serb positions tore through a crowded market, killing 43 and injuring 84 people in 1995.

The massacre came two months …

The games people play // Break out the fun for holiday season

For many families, the holidays are prime time for playing boardand card games, even if the games gather dust the rest of the year.

They're great for breaking the ice with those seldom-seenrelatives and keeping the kids busy during school vacations.

Stores know this. They've got piles of the classics as well asupstarts that are fast becoming popular. (Games are generallyavailable at discount, toy and department stores. Prices may vary.)Monopoly is available in theme versions, …