Nation briefs 7/5/06

N.J. lawmakers to meet in holiday session

TRENTON, N.J. -- Gov. Jon S. Corzine urged lawmakers Tuesday to compromise on his plan to increase the state's sales tax and approve a budget, which would end the government shutdown that threatens to extend to casinos and state parks today. "Make no mistake, people are being hurt and unfortunately more will be hurt in the days ahead," the governor told lawmakers during an unprecedented Fourth of July special session. The session came three days after Corzine started shutting down state government because lawmakers missed the July 1 constitutional deadline to approve a new budget. Without a budget, the government can't spend money. If no deal is reached, state parks and historic sites will close today along with Atlantic City casinos, which are required to have state regulators on duty. The state lottery, road construction, motor vehicle offices, vehicle inspection stations and courts have already closed. More than half the state work force -- 45,000 people -- was ordered to stay home on Monday.

Bush: Enemies in Iraq, Afghanistan vulnerable

FORT BRAGG, N.C. -- President Bush said Tuesday that insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan are violent, yet vulnerable, and urged U.S. troops to march on in the fight for freedom so Americans can celebrate Independence Day year round. At an outdoor pep rally for troops at Fort Bragg, Bush recalled the death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the former leader of al-Qaida in Iraq, who died last month in a U.S. airstrike that boosted troop morale and offered hope to Americans weary of the war. "At this moment of vulnerability for the enemy, we will continue to strike their network," Bush told 3,500 U.S. troops and others at an outdoor speech at Fort Bragg, home of the 82nd Airborne Division. "We will disrupt their operations, and we will bring their leaders to justice."

Japanese eater crams down 53-plus hotdogs

NEW YORK -- He did it again, however gross it may be. The 160-pound wonder from Japan set a new record by devouring a sickening 53 3/4 frankfurters in 12 minutes to win the annual Independence Day hot dog eating competition on Coney Island. The feat earned Takeru Kobayashi, 27, his sixth straight title in the event, held at the original Nathan's Famous hot dog stand on Brooklyn's seashore. He broke his own record of 53 1/2 hot dogs, set at the same competition two years ago.

-- From wire reports