Simpson Wins Custody of Children

O.J. Simpson has won another major courtroom victory. A judge in Fullerton, Calif., today granted the former football star full custody of the two children he had with murder victim Nicole Brown Simpson. Simpson fought a bitter legal battle against Louis and Juditha Brown, the parents of his former wife, over custody of Sydney, 11, and Justin, 8. Simpson says in a statement: "We are all so very grateful to have the children home again where they want to be." The ruling grants visitation rights to the Browns, with whom the children have lived since their daughter's 1994 murder. Simpson turned over temporary guardianship of the children to the grandparents after his June 17, 1994, arrest.

Peru Rebels Free Some Hostages

Red Cross officials say Peruvian guerrillas holding nearly 400 hostages at the Japanese ambassador's residence in Lima have released another 38 captives. The release was the first from the besieged residence since a smaller number of hostages was set free yesterday. Earlier today, the captives appeared to be getting desperate. But Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori did not respond to handwritten signs that appeared in a window pleading for supplies or to reports of the hostages' worsening health. The president spent much of the day huddled with generals at a military barracks. The rebels have threatened to kill their hostages if their demands are not met.

Clinton Names Cabinet Officers

One month to the day before his inauguration, President Clinton has named the final members of his Cabinet for his second term. Clinton named Federico Pena, who had announced his resignation as Transportation Secretary and put his house up for sale, to take over the Energy department. Pena and U.N. ambassador nominee Bill Richardson are the president's two Hispanic Cabinet-level appointments. The president also named White House aide Alexis Herman as labor secretary. She is the only black woman in the Cabinet. In addition, Clinton selected Federal Highway Administrator Rodney Slater to replace Pena as transportation secretary. And he picked Andrew Cuomo, son of the former New York governor, as housing secretary.

Jury Backs Food Lion Over ABC

A federal court judge in Greensboro, N.C., has sided with grocery store chain Food Lion and found ABC television journalists liable for trespassing and fraud. Food Lion sued ABC over a 1992 undercover news report about alleged unsanitary food handling practices by the chain. But moments after the verdict was announced, the judge ruled that Food Lion could not seek damages for lost sales and diminished stock value, which the company has previously estimated at some $1.7 billion. The judge says Food Lion will be able to seek punitive damages and damages to cover actual wages paid to the undercover ABC journalists who posed as Food Lion employees.

Clinton Discusses Arms Dealer

President Clinton is vowing better screening of visitors to the White House in the future after expressing regrets over a Chinese arms dealer's involvement in a campaign fundraising event. Clinton was asked by reporters today about why Wang Jun, who heads a weapons trading firm owned by the Chinese government, had been to the White House last February for a small private coffee with the president. The president said Wang's presence was "clearly inappropriate." Wang's presence at the gathering that was designed to give Clinton a chance to meet about a dozen big political donors is the latest in a series of campaign fundraising embarrassments. The controversy has triggered a Justice Department probe.

Big Apple: A Walk in the Park?

Authorities say New York City is on the verge of finishing 1996 with the fewest murders since 1968. Police say the mation's largest city will have fewer than 1,000 murders this year. This marks a huge drop in the past few years. The all-time high was 2,245 murders in 1990. Last year, there were 1,126 murders in the Big Apple. Not since 1968 has the annual number of murders finished below 1,000. That year, the number was 986. Police say dramatic drops also are being reported in rapes, robberies and assaults.

Clinton Battles Calif. Race Law

Opponents of a California measure that would abolish the state's affirmative action program are welcoming President Clinton's support for their cause. White House spokesman Mike McCurry said today that the Justice Department has decided to fight the measure and that the president fully supported that decision. A spokesman for the American Civil Liberties Union says Clinton's support is a major development in the campaign to beat the ballot initiative. California voters approved it last month, but a federal judge has temporarily blocked it until a trial on its constitutionality.

GOP: Keep Quiet on Gingrich

House Republican leaders are urging their troops to keep quiet about the ethics investigation involving House Speaker Newt Gingrich. Republican Conference Chairman John Boehner faxed a letter to Republicans around the country asking them to wait for a final report from the House ethics committee. Boehner promised that Gingrich would immediately contact them after the committee issues a statement or report. The warning came after revelations that Gingrich has switched attorneys, which could prolong the case. The House is scheduled to vote next month on whether to re-elect Gingrich as speaker for the new Congress. Many Republicans hope the ethics committee will conclude its probe before the vote.

Too Cold for Santa in Midwest

An arctic cold wave has slowed the pace of Christmas shopping in the Midwest and tourists in New Orleans are muttering about not bringing enough warm clothes. The cold front is easing its grip today in many areas, but forecasters warned that even chillier weather may arrive in time for Christmas. The coldest temperature has been recorded in Minneapolis, which hit 18 degrees below zero. Chicago reached only four degrees, and Des Moines, Iowa, was at six below. New Orleans was suffering through a rare bout with sub-freezing temperatures, and watering troughs used to serve horse-drawn carriages for tourists were frozen.

Astronomer Carl Sagan Dies

Astronomer and author Carl Sagan has lost a two-year battle with a rare blood disorder that led to cancer. Sagan died at age 62 in Seattle today. Sagan used books and television to convey the mystery and wonders of the universe to ordinary people around the world. His book "Dragons of Eden," an exploration of human intelligence, won the Pulitzer Prize in 1978. He was perhaps most famous for "Cosmos," his award-winning 1980 television series and companion book on the workings of the universe. The 13-part series became the most popular in the history of public television and ultimately was viewed by some 500 million people. He was a professor for nearly 30 years at Cornell University.

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