Nation briefs 7/1/05

Jewish squatters forced from Gaza Strip hotel

PALM BEACH HOTEL, Gaza Strip -- Israeli forces stormed a Gaza Strip hotel Thursday where Jewish squatters were holed up to disrupt this summer's Israeli withdrawal, in a quick operation that could serve as a blueprint for the pullout itself. Struggling as soldiers carried them outside, the squatters quickly surrendered to the overwhelming numbers of security forces. The showdown was an early test of Israel's ability to rein in its own militants after pressuring the Palestinians to do the same.

Italy denies knowledge of kidnapping of imam

ROME -- Italy's government denied Thursday it had prior knowledge of the alleged CIA kidnapping of a radical Egyptian cleric and summoned the U.S. ambassador to explain the operation, which has led prosecutors to seek the arrest of 13 purported CIA officials. The public challenge by an allied country to the CIA's "extraordinary rendition" program for suspected terrorists threatened a new jolt to relations with Washington, recently strained by the killing of an Italian agent by U.S. soldiers in Iraq.

16 servicemembers confirmed dead in crash

KABUL, Afghanistan -- The U.S. military confirmed Thursday that all 16 servicemembers aboard a special forces helicopter died when it crashed into a mountain ravine in eastern Afghanistan earlier this week, apparently after being shot down by a rocket-propelled grenade. The helicopter crashed while ferrying reinforcements to a battle against insurgents near the Pakistan border.

Park service revises Lincoln Memorial video

WASHINGTON -- The National Park Service sought out footage of "conservative - right-wing demonstrations" to revise the video shown to visitors at the Lincoln Memorial after being pressured by conservatives who complained the display implied Abraham Lincoln supported abortion, homosexuality and liberal causes. Park Service documents released under the Freedom of Information Act show officials purchased video of President Bush, pro-gun advocates and pro-Iraq war rallies and also considered removing images of Democratic former President Clinton at the memorial.

--From wire reports

Bush calls for new U.S. spending to fight malaria in Africa

WASHINGTON -- President Bush on Thursday called for spending $1.2 billion to cut malaria deaths in half by 2010 in Africa where many of its victims are children. The malaria initiative aims to provide tens of millions of dollars to Tanzania, Uganda and Angola in the first year, adding at least four more countries in 2007 and at least five more in 2008 for an eventual total spending of $1.2 billion, Bush said. The president said his proposal would eventually cover 175 million people in at least 15 nations most affected by the disease.

Lawmakers scrutinize VA spending, Senate votes give veterans health care $1.5 billion

WASHINGTON -- Lawmakers called Veterans Affairs Secretary Jim Nicholson to the Capitol for a third day to examine a politically awkward $1 billion shortfall in veterans health care programs while awaiting a Bush administration request for more money. The Senate voted 96-0 on Wednesday to give the VA an extra $1.5 billion this year to cover its health care shortfall and more, letting the VA carry any unused money into next year. Republicans said they resisted Democrats' earlier efforts to boost spending for veterans health programs because VA officials assured them they didn't need the money.