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10-09-2003

Schwarzenegger Outlines Transition Plans

LOS ANGELES (AP) _ On his first full day as governor elect, Arnold Schwarzenegger expressed confidence Wednesday that he would make a seamless transition to the governor's office, but provided no new specifics on how he plans to cure California's ills. In a news conference at a Los Angeles hotel, Schwarzenegger repeated many themes from the campaign trail, including a pledge to repeal the recent tripling of the car tax and a call to "open up the books" in search of a solution to the state's gaping deficit. He also promised again not to raise taxes.

Bush: U.S. 'Did the Right Thing' in Iraq

President Bush makes remarks at the Republican National Committee Presidential Gala Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2003, in Washington. (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)

WASHINGTON (AP) _ "America did the right thing," President Bush declared Wednesday in a robust defense of his Iraq policy in which he argued that the hunt for suspected weapons of mass destruction there has already turned up enough evidence to justify the war. "There's a lot more to investigate," Bush said before a gala fund-raiser for the Republican National Committee. "Yet, it is now undeniable _ undeniable _ that Saddam Hussein was in clear violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1441," which threatened Iraq with "serious consequences" if it failed to disarm.

FBI Planted Bugs in Phila. Mayor Offices

PHILADELPHIA (AP) _ Federal law enforcement officials on Wednesday confirmed that listening devices found in the offices of Mayor John F. Street were planted by the FBI _ a discovery that touched off a political furor just weeks before Election Day. Three federal law enforcement officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, acknowledged that the FBI was responsible for the bugs but refused to comment on whether the Democratic mayor is a target of an investigation or to provide any details about the nature of the probe.

Do-Not-Call List to Sign Up New Numbers

WASHINGTON (AP) _ The national do-not-call list will resume accepting phone numbers Thursday from people who do not want to be bothered by telemarketers. The Federal Trade Commission shut down new registration last week after a federal court ordered the agency to stop operating the list of more than 52 million phone numbers. But the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver temporarily blocked the lower court's decision Tuesday, allowing the registry to restart.

Silicone-Gel Breast Implants Reconsidered

WASHINGTON (AP) _ Eleven years after most use of silicone-gel breast implants was banned amid fears they were dangerous, the Food and Drug Administration is considering letting them back on the U.S. market. Revisiting the emotionally charged issue, the FDA next week will hear testimony essentially pitting woman against woman _ some who say the implants broke apart to leave lasting scars, others who want implants they say feel more natural to reconstruct breasts savaged by cancer.

Palestinian Towns Locked Down by Israel

JERUSALEM (AP) _ Trying to prevent another terror attack during the Jewish holidays, Israel enforced an open-ended lockdown of Palestinian towns Wednesday and ordered two more battalions into the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The closure was extended as questions arose over the health of Yasser Arafat after he appeared in public looking haggard and disoriented. Advisers denied a report he has suffered a mild heart attack, saying Arafat _ the leading champion of the Palestinian cause over four decades _ is weak from a stomach flu.

New Pay Version of Napster Set for Debut

LOS ANGELES (AP) _ The Napster name, once synonymous with the digital song-swapping bazaar that incensed the recording industry, revives Thursday as an Internet music store that will go head to head with such competitors as Apple and MusicMatch. Santa Clara-based Roxio Inc., which bought the rights to the Napster name for about $5 million, has shelved its former online music service, pressplay, and plans to move subscribers to a beta, or working version, of Napster 2.0 beginning Thursday.

Siegfried Talks About Tiger Attack on Roy

Siegfried Fischbacher pauses before beginning an interview to a reporter in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2003. It was the first time he had spoken to the media since his stage partner, Roy Horn, was mauled by a tiger during a 'Siegfriend and Roy' performance. Horn remains in critical condition at University Medical Center in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Laura Rauch)

LAS VEGAS (AP) _ Illusionist Roy Horn still can't talk following his on-stage mauling by a tiger, but he's communicating through hand signals, Siegfried Fischbacher of the "Siegfried & Roy" duo said Wednesday in his first interviews with American media. The longtime co-performers developed a code in the past few days, Fischbacher said, in which one gesture means "yes" and two "no."

Red Sox Lead Yankees 5-0 in ALCS Game 1

Boston Red Sox Manny Ramirez hits a home run against New York Yankees pitcher Mike Mussina (35) in the 5th inning of Game 1 of the American League Championship Series in New York Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2003. Catching for the Yankees is Jorge Posada. ( AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

NEW YORK (AP) _ Home runs by David Ortiz, Todd Walker, Manny Ramirez and an RBI single by Kevin Millar gave the Boston Red Sox a 5-0 lead over the New York Yankees after six innings in Game 1 of the AL championship series Wednesday night. Knuckleballer Tim Wakefield was in complete control of the Yankees over the first six, allowing only two hits and retired his last 14 batters.

Cubs Lead Marlins, 8-0 (3 Innings)

CHICAGO (AP) _ Sammy Sosa and Mark Prior gave the Wrigley Field fans plenty to cheer as the Chicago Cubs jumped to an 8-0 lead over the Florida Marlins after three innings in Game 2 of the NL championship series Wednesday night. Sosa hit a monster two-run homer off Brad Penny in the second inning, almost clearing the camera booth in the second tier of bleachers in center field. Prior had four strikeouts, including two as he escaped a jam with runners at second and third and no outs in the second inning.

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