W.House, Congress Reach Tentative Budget Deal

White House officials and Senate Republicans say they have reached a tentative agreement to cut taxes and balance the budget by 2002. In Las Vegas, a White House spokesman said President Clinton is happy with the deal. The two sides have been negotiating to reach an agreement on a spending and tax cut plan. Today's agreement will allow lawmakers to vote on the budget and tax bills before they leave Friday for a month-long vacation. Once enacted, the plan would give Americans the first tax cut in 16 years.

Weld Resigns, Vows to Fight for Mexico Post

Massachusetts Governor William Weld says he will officially give up the office he has held for seven years to fight full time to win the post of ambassador to Mexico. Weld says as of 5 p.m. tomorrow, Lt. Gov. Paul Cellucci will assume the governorship. But even if he turns all of his attention to his bid for the ambassadorship, Weld's confirmation is far from assured. Sen. Jesse Helms, R-N.C., chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, objects to Weld's views on the medicinal use of marijuana and to Weld's drug prosecution record.

Air Force Chief to Quit in Apparent Protest

The U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff, General Ronald Fogleman, has submitted his resignation. Pentagon officials say Fogleman is retiring amid differences over responsibility for security lapses that led to the death of 19 U.S. airmen last year in a bombing in Saudi Arabia. Air Force officials say Fogleman, one of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has asked for early retirement, to take effect no later than September 1. Fogleman, 55, reportedly told associates he would step down if Air Force generals were punished for failing to prevent last year's bombing of Khobar Towers, the Saudi barracks in which 19 U.S. airmen were killed.

Justice Dept. Criticizes FBI in Atlanta Blast

A Justice Department official says FBI officials made "a major error in judgment" that could have violated Richard Jewell's rights when they interviewed him after last July's Olympic Park bombing in Atlanta. However, Michael Shaheen Jr. told a Senate Judiciary subcommittee there was no FBI conspiracy or intent to deprive Jewell of his rights. Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., questioned the truthfulness of Shaheen's statement, noting that a written report by Shaheen's office did not say Jewell's rights were compromised. FBI Director Louis Freeh told the hearing that FBI officials believe the agency did a substandard job of handling Jewell's interview.

Clinton Advises States on Welfare Savings

President Clinton urged the nation's governors today to use surplus funds from welfare savings to pay for jobs, transportation and child care for the working poor. He said it would be a "big mistake" if the money was used for other programs. The number of Americans on public assistance is at the lowest level since 1970, in part because the welfare law enacted this year imposed strict new work requirements. But the White House has argued that many of those who have made the move from welfare to work need additional help, particularly with child care. Clinton made his appeal in a speech before the National Governors' Association meeting in Las Vegas.

Brennan's Coffin Brought to U.S. Supreme Court

The closed, flag-draped coffin of former U.S. Supreme Court justice William Brennan has been brought to the Supreme Court to lie in repose in the court's Great Hall. On a sweltering, overcast day in Washington, 10 pallbearers -- all former law clerks of the legendary liberal -- carried Brennan's casket up the court's marbled steps and into the hall. Before the scene was opened for public viewing, three of the Court's nine current members, two retired colleagues, Brennan's wife, his three children and numerous court employees attended a brief ceremony to mourn his death. Brennan will be buried tomorrow at Arlington National Cemetery.

Cunanan Tipster Rewarded by New York Gay Group

The man who stumbled upon Andrew Cunanan, the suspected killer of fashion designer Gianni Versace and four other men, today received a $10,000 reward from a New York group devoted to stopping violence against gays and lesbians. Amid a crush of TV crews and reporters, Fernando Carreira received a large cardboard check from the Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project in a Greenwich Village park in the heart of New York's gay community. Executive Director Christine Quinn said while Carreira's action "didn't actually lead to the conviction" of Cunanan, the 71-year-old deserved the reward. Carreira is suing to receive reward money posted in Florida in the case.

Dynamite Blast Kills Two

At least two construction workers were killed today by a dynamite explosion near downtown Nashville, Tennessee, and a third worker is missing. Police say the blast was a "premature explosion" at a construction site overlooking the junction of Interstate 40 and Interstate 24. But authorities say they do not know what caused the explosion, which occurred during the morning rush hour and forced the closing of both interstates -- resulting in traffic jams miles long on both roadways. Fourteen people, 12 of them motorists, were taken to hospitals with injuries from the blast.

Exclusive TV Footage Shows Sickly Pol Pot

Exclusive U.S. television footage aired tonight shows Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot as a frail old man in ill health. ABC-TV's "World News Tonight" aired the footage, taken last week at a show trial during which fellow Khmer Rouge guerrillas sentenced their long-time leader to house arrest for the remainder of his life. Pol Pot was the architect of a genocidal period in Cambodia from 1975-79 during which more than a million Cambodians were killed. A journalist who watched the trial said it was clearly stage managed, but also said there is no doubt Pol Pot's downfall is genuine.

Israel Stops Settlement

Israel is putting the brakes on a plan to build a new Jewish enclave in Arab East Jerusalem, and has agreed to resume talks with the Palestinians on meeting still-unfulfilled commitments that were made in their interim peace deals. Outstanding issues include the opening of Gaza air and sea ports, a "safe passage" for Palestinians between the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israel. Palestinians are praising today's building ban as a confidence-building step. But they stress that the two sides are still far from overcoming an extended deadlock on proceeding with final peace talks.

< Back > < Contents >  < Home >