New Orleans hotel evicts 100 Katrina victims

NEW ORLEANS -- A judge blocked the eviction Saturday of about 100 people from a New Orleans hotel, the Maison St. Charles, which had ordered tenants displaced by Hurricane Katrina to move out to make room for new guests. Orleans Parish Civil District Court Judge Michael Bagneris issued a restraining order and ruled that the hurricane victims be allowed to return, said Bill Quigley, head of the Loyola Law Clinic who sought the order. Hotels' participation in housing hurricane victims is voluntary, FEMA spokesman James McIntyre said.

Poll: Most say U.S. needs warrant to eavesdrop

WASHINGTON -- A majority of Americans want the Bush administration to get court approval before eavesdropping on people inside the United States, even if those calls might involve suspected terrorists, an AP-Ipsos poll shows. Over the past three weeks, President Bush and top aides have defended the electronic monitoring program they secretly began shortly after Sept. 11, 2001, as a tool to protect the nation from al-Qaida and its affiliates. Yet 56 percent of respondents said the government should be required to get a warrant to eavesdrop on the overseas calls and e-mails of U.S. citizens.

Democrats charge GOP has corrupted Congress

WASHINGTON -- Democrats accused Republican congressional leaders of corrupting the government, claiming on Saturday that their party has higher ethical standards. "Under Republican guidance, America has truly been put up for sale to the highest bidder," Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-N.Y., said in her party's weekly radio address. Congress was consumed this week by the corruption scandal around Jack Abramoff, who pleaded guilty and is cooperating in a wide-ranging probe that could involve up to 20 members of Congress and their aides.

-- From wire reports