Pentagon accounting for movement of weapons

WASHINGTON -- An Army unit removed 250 tons of ammunition from the Al-Qaqaa weapons depot in April 2003 and later destroyed it, the company's former commander said Friday. A Pentagon spokesman said some was of the same type as the missing explosives that have become a major issue in the presidential campaign. But those 250 tons were not located under the seal of the International Atomic Energy Agency -- as the missing high-grade explosives had been -- and Pentagon spokesman Larry Di Rita could not definitely say whether they were part of the missing 377 tons.

Tokyo works to determine body's identity from Iraq

TOKYO -- A body found in Iraq resembles a Japanese civilian taken hostage by Islamic militants and threatened with death, but the Japanese government has not yet positively identified it, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said Saturday. Hatsuhisa Takashima said the body found near the Iraqi city of Tikrit was being flown to Doha, Qatar, for examination to determine if it was hostage Shosei Koda, 24. The body was found by the U.S. military.

NASA picks May 2005 for next launch date

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA said Friday it is aiming for a mid-May launch of the first shuttle flight since the Columbia tragedy almost two years ago. The launch date was the latest of several set by the space agency, and just as subject to change. Until this month, NASA had hoped to resume shuttle flights as early as March, with Discovery making a space station supply run and a test flight of new inspection and repair techniques. But four Florida hurricanes in quick succession damaged the space agency's buildings and hindered the launch preparations.

D.C. takes parents to court over immunizations

WASHINGTON -- Dozens of parents were charged with misdemeanor truancy in the nation's capital on Friday after their children missed school because they lacked required immunizations. The charges carry possible jail time and fines. The capital's attorney general's office summoned 41 parents to District of Columbia Superior Court after school officials turned over the names of children kept out of class for lack of up-to-date immunization records. Several parents alleged that schools had lost their records or filed them late.

Ex-ballet dancer takes over as Cambodia's king

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia -- Standing before golden statues of his ancestors and blessed by monks whose chants filled a hall in the Royal Palace, former ballet dancer Norodom Sihamoni -- a man little known in Cambodia -- took over the throne Friday from his father and ended the reign of one of Asia's most colorful rulers. Sihamoni, who has no political experience, was enthroned in an elaborate ceremony that included the blowing of conch shells and music.

-- From wire reports