Nation briefs 4/1/04

Rice to be asked about Clinton information

WASHINGTON -- When she testifies before the commission reviewing the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, Condoleezza Rice will face pointed questions about what outgoing Clinton administration officials told her about terrorism -- and how urgently the new Bush administration regarded al-Qaida's threat. She also may face questions about her credibility. Rice may testify publicly and under oath before the 10-member panel as early as next week.

Explosives theft focus at Terry Nichols' trial

McALESTER, Okla. -- Prosecutors at the murder trial of Oklahoma City bombing conspirator Terry Nichols used a drill bit Wednesday to try to connect him to the theft of blasting caps and detonation cord from a rock quarry. Two expert witnesses testified that a bit seized from Nichols' home after the April 19, 1995, bombing made the distinctive markings found in a drill hole in a padlock at the quarry near Marion, Kan.

N.Y. judge quizzes doctor about fetus pain

NEW YORK -- In questioning that at times turned graphic, a judge deciding the constitutionality of a new ban on some abortions grilled a doctor Wednesday on whether a fetus feels pain during the procedures. The inquiry came in U.S. District Court in Manhattan after lawyers on both sides had finished questioning Dr. Timothy Johnson, a plaintiff in one of three lawsuits brought to stop enforcement of the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act.

Publisher, Saddam spy sentenced to 3-plus years

CHICAGO -- A suburban Chicago newspaper publisher convicted of spying on Iraqi dissidents for Saddam Hussein was sentenced Wednesday to three years and 10 months in federal prison. Khaled Abdel-Latif Dumeisi, 61, is expected to be deported after he finishes his prison term. U.S. District Judge Suzanne B. Conlon also said he may not re-enter the United States without permission from the attorney general.

Broadcasters to consider a code of conduct

WASHINGTON -- Broadcasters meeting Wednesday to discuss indecency said they would consider an industry code of conduct, an idea the nation's chief telecommunications regulator suggested they should pursue. Federal Communications Commission chairman Michael Powell said if the industry leaves it to the government to set strict standards for broadcast decency, they won't like the result.

-- From wire reports