White House might tap Social Security surpluses

WASHINGTON -- Democrats say it is up to President Bush to suggest a solution now that his budget chief has told lawmakers part of this year's Social Security surplus may have to be diverted to pay for other programs.

White House budget director Mitchell Daniels delivered the news privately Friday to House Republican leaders. It would put the administration and Congress on track to violate an oft-stated pledge to leave Social Security funds untouched.

Republicans, especially in the House where members face re-election next year, are nervous that Democrats will use the turn of events against them. Democrats have blamed the problem on the 10-year, $1.35 trillion tax cut Bush pushed through Congress.

U.N. racism conference comes to completion

DURBAN, South Africa -- The World Conference Against Racism adopted a declaration Saturday recognizing the injustice of slavery and colonialism and the "plight" of Palestinians after nine days of debate and brinksmanship that repeatedly threatened to unravel the gathering.

Compromises on both issues were reached only Saturday morning, a day after the conference had been scheduled to end. Even as they accepted the compromise on the Middle East, Arab states registered their reservations that the conference would not directly condemn Israel for its treatment of Palestinians.

In a closing session, the conference adopted a program of action and declaration that was to serve as a global blueprint to fight racism.

Congress urges scrapping Brazilian satellite deal

BRASILIA, Brazil -- Worried that the United States wants to control Brazil's space program, nationalists in Brazil's Congress are ready to call off a deal to let U.S. companies use the nation's coveted Alcantara launch site.

In a report to the Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee, congressman Waldir Pires said the U.S.-Brazil Technology Safeguard Agreement should be rejected because of its "contempt for national sovereignty."

The agreement, signed April 18, 2000 and awaiting ratification by Brazil's Congress, would allow American companies to launch communications and earth observation satellites from the Alcantara Spaceport in the northeastern state of Maranhao.

Israeli helicopters attack offices of Arafat's party

RAMALLAH, West Bank -- Israeli helicopters attacked offices of Yasser Arafat's Fatah movement in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Saturday in what the army said was retaliation for recent shooting attacks.

No one was injured. The Palestinians accused Israel of trying to kill Muhammed Mansour, the Fatah leader in Ramallah, who had left the building moments earlier. The Israeli army would not comment on the accusation.

--From wire reports