Permanent war crimes court lacks U.S. support

THE HAGUE, Netherlands -- International legal experts began laying the groundwork for the world's first permanent war crimes tribunal Wednesday, without U.S. backing.

A permanent court to try those responsible for war crimes -- and possibly terrorist attacks -- is expected to open in the Netherlands next year with the support of the majority of the international community.

The United States, however, opposes the court, which could put Americans on trial for alleged atrocities.

Louisiana sends fire truck gift to New York

WASHINGTON -- The city of New York grew one fire truck richer Wednesday, courtesy of the people of Louisiana.

A 29-foot, 42,000-pound pumper dubbed "The Spirit of Louisiana" got a White House send-off from President Bush, who said the campaign that raised money to build the truck proved how deeply the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks touched all Americans.

"This is the kind of story that makes our country so unique and so different," Bush said.

India's leader says war with Pakistan an option

NEW DELHI, India -- India's prime minister said on Wednesday that the government is discussing war, as well as diplomacy, as a response to last week's suicide attack on Parliament that it blames on Pakistan-based militants.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee told India's Parliament that Pakistani officials know there are forces within Pakistan that are taking part in terrorism in India. He repeated India's demand for a crackdown.

"We are trying to address this diplomatically, but other options are also open, too," Vajpayee said during a debate over Thursday's assault on the legislature that left 13 people dead, including the attackers.

Senate kills farm subsidies bill for year

WASHINGTON -- The Senate refused to limit debate Wednesday on a bill to expand farm subsidies, effectively killing the Democratic-backed legislation for the year.

It was the third time in three weeks that Democrats had been unable to muster the votes necessary to set a limit on debating the bill, and thus free it for a vote. The vote to end debate was 54-43, six short of the 60 needed.

"We have to move on," said Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D. Daschle had warned that he would pull the bill from the Senate floor if the move to cut off debate failed.

Russian official: U.S. spies remain active

MOSCOW -- Despite the warming of Russia's relations with the West, U.S. and other Western intelligence services are still keen to steal Russia's military secrets, a senior Russian counterintelligence official said in an interview published Wednesday.

"If leaders of other countries shake hands with Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, that doesn't mean that intelligence services have laid down their weapons," said Gen. Valery Falunin, who is in charge of the military counterintelligence in the Moscow region. "They are working, and working quite actively."

-- From wire reports