Nation digest 12/07/04

Congress withdraws plan for opening tax returns

WASHINGTON -- Congress voted unanimously Monday to kill a provision making it easier for lawmakers and aides to peruse people's income tax returns in a vote Republicans hoped would end a political tempest. The House, back for a pre-holiday session this week, voted to withdraw the provision by 381-0. The Senate gave its assent on Nov. 20 to the same measure, which does not need President Bush's approval. Democrats have ridiculed the provision as a potential invasion of privacy. They were instantly joined by Republicans expressing outrage and promising its repeal.

Eco-terrorism suspected in suburban home fires

INDIAN HEAD, Md. -- More than a dozen expensive homes under construction were burned down early Monday in a suburban Washington housing development that had been criticized by environmentalists because it is next to a nature preserve, officials said. An FBI agent said the fires may have been set by environmental extremists. A dozen homes were destroyed and 29 others damaged near the state's Mattawoman Natural Environment Area. No injuries were reported. The damage was estimated at at least $10 million. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

N.J. man charged with smuggling flu vaccine

CAMDEN, N.J. -- A convenience store owner has been charged with smuggling flu vaccine into the United States and offering it for sale to a hospital, apparently to cash in on the national shortage. Mahmoud A. Abuarqoub, 37, was arrested over the weekend, accused of offering to sell 5,000 doses of vaccine for $55 each to a hospital near his New Jersey home. Abuarqoub was released Monday on $250,000 bail. He could get up to five years in prison.

Ohio certifies Bush as winner of election

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- This battleground state on Monday certified President Bush's 119,000-vote victory over John Kerry, even as the Kerry campaign and third-party candidates prepared to demand a statewide recount. The 118,775-vote lead was closer than the unofficial election night margin of 136,000, but not enough to trigger a mandatory recount. The Kerry campaign last week joined the presidential candidates for the Green and Libertarian parties who are asking for a recount. They planned to file their requests Monday and today. The Kerry camp is not disputing the outcome of the race.

Fire breaks out in Chicago high-rise

CHICAGO -- Fire broke out high in a downtown office building Monday evening, sending flames shooting from windows as firefighters escorted workers through blinding smoke to safety. Fire department spokesman Larry Langford said 12 people were treated for smoke inhalation. He said he had no reports of anyone trapped in the building. The fire was reported about 6:30 p.m. on the 29th floor of the LaSalle Bank building in Chicago's loop, said police officer JoAnn Taylor. In October 2003, a 35-story building owned by Cook County caught fire, killing six people. An investigation concluded in September that the deaths could have been prevented if there had been sprinklers and unlocked stairwells, and if firefighters had searched for victims sooner and kept out smoke and heat.

Soldiers challenge policy that extends enlistments

WASHINGTON -- Eight soldiers filed a lawsuit Monday challenging the Army's policy requiring them to serve longer than the terms of their enlistment contracts. The soldiers, believed to be the first active-duty personnel to file such a lawsuit, want a judge to order the Army to immediately release them from service. They say they weren't informed when they signed up that they could be kept in the service beyond their discharge date. Under the Pentagon's "stop-loss" program, the Army can extend enlistments during war or national emergencies as a way to promote continuity and cohesiveness. The policy, invoked in June, was authorized by an emergency executive order signed by President Bush three days after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

-- From wire reports