Wednesday, December 27, 2000
Retailers begin reporting disappointing December sales
WASHINGTON -- While shoppers headed out Tuesday to shop for post-holiday bargains, major retail chains began reporting that December sales will fall below their projections.
Livestock
SOUTH ST. PAUL (AP) (USDA) -- Tuesday cattle: 300.
Bush's lack of agenda could break the international trade stalemate, experts say
GENEVA -- President-elect Bush's trade policies are similar to the outgoing administration's, but there is one big difference: President Clinton has sought labor and environmental standards in global trade treaties, a demand Bush does not support.
Cash grain
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Wheat receipts Tuesday 204, a year ago 119.
Metals
NEW YORK (AP) -- Spot nonferrous metal prices Tuesday.
Property tax plan to be focal point in education debate
ST. PAUL -- Public schools scored big during Gov. Jesse Ventura's first two years in office, enjoying more than $1 billion in new money that was a sharp contrast to the tiny increases they saw through much of the 1990s.
Extra credit
Hanna Flood, the daughter of Robert and Marcia Flood of Aitkin, was selected student of the month for December sponsored by the youth activities committee of the Brainerd Elks Club No. 615.
Good laugh goes a long way in a loving relationship
DEAR ABBY: In the continuing saga of how men are different from women, let me share this with you.
Funeral consumers alliance buried by orders for kits
DEAR ABBY: I always knew your column was powerful, but perhaps you'd like to hear just how effective it can be. Your October mention of our end-of-life planning kit flooded our offices with 50,000 orders, and they're still coming in! The notes with the orders show how much this idea has clicked with the public:
Dog door damage
Dear Heloise: My DOG SCRATCHED A PANE in my sliding-glass doors. Is there anything I can do to hide the scratches just a little? -- Mrs. B. Jenkins, Lytle, Texas
Persistent uninvited guests
Dear Readers: I received an e-mail from Karen Slay asking how to GET RID OF WEEVILS that have invaded her pantry. She has tried chemical sprays, but they keep coming back.
Crime
THEFT -- Steven Mudgett, 4000 Barbeau Road, reported Saturday his 1994 Polaris snowmobile was stolen.
Marriage licenses
Christopher A. James, 21, and Darcee L. Stene, 22, both of Brainerd.
Accidents
LITTLE FALLS -- Two people suffered minor injuries in a two-vehicle accident reported at 12:17 p.m. Monday on Highway 238 west of Little Falls.
Births
Eric and Chris (Swift) Braun, St. Michael, a boy, Tyler John, 8 pounds, 2 ounces, Dec. 8, 2000. Grandparents are Joan K. Swift, Brainerd, Dale Swift, Brainerd, and Bob and Lee Braun, Sauk Rapids.
Little Falls man dies in accident
LITTLE FALLS -- A 55-year-old Little Falls man died as a result of a two-vehicle accident reported at 11:12 p.m. Friday on Morrison County Road 47, about two miles east of Little Falls.
Bush splits attention between transition and fishing
BOCA GRANDE, Fla. (AP) -- President-elect Bush, unwinding at an island resort renowned for its fishing, said Wednesday he hopes to name "a couple" Cabinet members this week.
Ashcroft: Confederates were 'patriots' without a 'perverted agenda'
WASHINGTON -- Sen. John Ashcroft, President-elect Bush's choice to be America's top law enforcement officer, once hailed Confederate war heroes as "patriots" and suggested they shouldn't be portrayed as having died for "some perverted agenda."
Hospitals told to treat patients' pain
WASHINGTON -- When you enter a hospital, you have a right to have your pain properly treated.
Shalala blocks Republican-supported measure aimed at reducing drug prices
WASHINGTON -- Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala Tuesday refused to implement a Republican-sponsored measure intended to reduce drug prices by allowing the reimportation of prescription drugs from abroad, concluding that it is unworkable and would not lower costs.
No. 4 - BRAINERD/BAXTER MERGER
For much of 2000, talk of merging cities -- or at the very least combining services -- was plentiful in Brainerd and Baxter.
No., 3 - Y2K
Y2K. We survived.
Pop quiz: Test what you know about news of 2000
Test your recollection of the news of 2000.
No. 1 - After years of talk, Brainerd bypass is carrying traffic
The Highway 371 bypass, arguably the Brainerd area's most talked about and anticipated infrastructure improvement in the last 50 years, opened for traffic Aug. 9.
No. 8 - SCHOOL BUDGET WOES
Little Falls and Crosby-Ironton school districts had a rough year financially.
No. 2 - ANNEXATION ISSUES
Through the early spring and into the fall, annexation issues made Brainerd and Baxter worthy of Dickens' "Tale of Two Cities."
Pop quiz: Answers to questions about news of 2000
ANSWERS:
No. 5 - AREA ELECTIONS
Dale Walz of rural Brainerd defeated 12-year incumbent state Rep. Kris Hasskamp, DFL-Crosby, in the biggest political upset in the Brainerd lakes area in 2000.
No. 10 - POTLATCH LAYOFFS
A major employer in Brainerd trimmed positions and planned for layoffs in a process that ran from May through December.
2000: Lakes Area year in review
The top story in the Brainerd lakes area in 2000 was one residents have anticipated for many, many years -- the opening of the Highway 371 bypass.
For many world leaders, 2000 dished out hard knocks
In the year 2000, politicians got themselves a patron saint, as decreed by Pope John Paul II. It was good timing -- all around the world, there were plenty of leaders who could have used a little divine intercession.
Election and Elian were top stories of 2000, AP members say
America's protracted election, the tug of war over Elian Gonzalez and the terrorist bombing of the USS Cole ranked as the top news stories of 2000, according to The Associated Press annual survey of its members.
A sampling of news developments possible in 2001
The past year produced an unimaginably close presidential election, a diplomatic tug of war over a 6-year-old Cuban boy, a triumph for democracy in Yugoslavia and more setbacks for Middle East peace.
No. 7 - Ice rescue
Kent Johnson is itching to go out ice fishing but swears he won't drive out on Gull Lake ever again. His fish house might have found its permanent resting place at his northeast Brainerd home.
No. 6 - AREA TRAFFIC FATALITIES
Along with the increase experienced by the entire state, traffic fatality numbers climbed throughout the area in 2000.
From Florida to Florida, a bold new era in America
First the good news: Civilization did not crumble. America's computer networks did not crash. The year 2000, for all its millennial baggage, slipped by with nary an apocalypse in sight.
Top 10 AP news stories
The top news stories of 2000 as chosen by 312 Associated Press newspaper and broadcast editors in the United States. A first-place vote gave the story 10 points, a second-place vote nine points, and so on. Stories are followed by the number of points they received.
No. 9 - REFERENDUMS
It was not a good year for referendums in the Brainerd lakes area.
Details on membership
About 1,000 memberships are sold at the YMCA annually. Day passes provide access to the facilities by non-members.
DNR chief seeks models for managing timber
ST. PAUL (AP) -- The Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has called a summit meeting on forest management in April where he hopes to bring together environmentalists and lumber interests.
County looks into request for moving expenses
It was more than a $3,000 question for the Crow Wing County Board.
Minnesota seeing boost in winter recreation after several years
ST. PAUL (AP) -- After a three-year absence, the cold, snowy winters Minnesota is famous for have returned, and resorts and shops that cater to winter sports enthusiasts couldn't be happier.
Appeals Court reverses Renville deputy's conviction on alcohol charge
ST. PAUL (AP) -- A Renville County sheriff's deputy convicted of giving alcohol to a minor is entitled to a new trial because prosecutors improperly used evidence of past behavior, the Minnesota Court of Appeals ruled.
Hitting the stores
Brainerd lakes area shoppers hit the stores early today in search of bargains -- and to return Christmas gifts that either didn't fit or were just plain awful.
Duluth's sister city replaces broken bell
DULUTH (AP) -- When the original Duluth-Ohara Peace Bell arrived here this summer, the symbol of this port city's relationship with its Japanese sister city was christened with a dissonant clank.
This was Brainerd
DECEMBER 27 - 40 years ago (1960) A non-profit corporation called Brainerd-Little Falls Area Television, was formed by 24 city and Little Falls residents last night at Madden's Pine Edge Inn, Little Falls. Purpose of the group will be to promote and build two television translator towers.
Agencies start budget shuffle
ST. PAUL (AP) -- State agency heads have proposed nearly $1.5 billion worth of cuts in hopes they can win extra funding elsewhere under a new budget process designed to reward risk-taking agencies.
Local briefs
Starting in January, the Crow Wing County WIC office will be going through changes. Participants in the WIC program who pick up in Pequot Lakes will now be picking up at the new family center in Pequot Lakes.
CSAH 19 work has been long project
Working on a design for construction of County State Aid Highway 19 in Mission Township has been a long process.
Heading to the sales
Shopping carts were a hot commodity at the Target Store in Baxter this morning as shoppers arrived early for the annual after Christmas sales. (Dispatch Photo by Clint Wood)
Civil suit filed in Baxter fatal
A wrongful death civil lawsuit has been initiated against the city of Baxter by the family of Connie Johnson, a 52-year-old Baxter resident who died in a motor-vehicle accident Feb. 18.
Christmas tree recycling offered
Brainerd lakes area residents may recycle Christmas trees from Wednesday through Jan. 13 by dropping off their trees at sites in Pine River, Emily and Brainerd.
RSVP looking into pilot program
The Retired Seniors Volunteer Program staff members are considering a pilot program to find volunteers, who will be offered an incentive for their help.
Top stories
The Dispatch news staff members voted on the top 10 stories of the year 2000. Look for the biggest stories of the year Wednesday in Neighbors.
Expansion was split into three phases
Phase one included a 1,900-square foot Wellness Center and 800-square foot baby-sitting area that was completed in September.
Working together
When a center known to promote family fitness and general health met with a newly formed group seeking to support the arts, people saw a way to work together.
Rally backs teachers in dispute over student Packer fan
NEW PRAGUE (AP) -- A parent rallying in support of two teachers who excluded a fourth-grade student from a Vikings pizza party said the student was left behind because he was misbehaving, not because he was wearing a Green Bay Packers jersey.
Local briefs
The Brainerd Family YMCA is offering a New Year's Eve lock-in for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. This slumber party will be filled with activities, including youth sports, arts and crafts, songs and stories and swimming.
Red Lake Band opens expanded casino
WARROAD (AP) -- The Red Lake Band of Ojibwe has spent nearly $1 million to build a temporary 180-slot machine addition to its casino facility as it tests the market for a possible new casino.
New Year's bashes
Area bands will headline New Year's Eve celebrations in the Brainerd area. Look for the story Thursday in Tempo.
Hill makes farewell
Crow Wing County Commissioner Jim Hill voted on his last resolution at the county board meeting Tuesday.
Holiday tragedy
EDINA (AP) -- A man was in critical condition with severe burns after he tried to remove a Christmas tree that had caught on fire in his home here.
This was Brainerd
DECEMBER 26-80 years ago (1920) -- Some thief robbed the Pillager Pool Hall of $60 in watches attached to a punch board. Pillager people hope the thief will "Do Time" to make up for his misdeeds.
Family seeks answers in body-builder's death
ST. PAUL (AP) -- Training for her first bodybuilding competition consumed Irene Sherlin's life, and, family and friends suspect, a second-place finish contributed to her emotional decline and death six months ago.
Distinguished movie, stage actor Jason Robards dies
Jason Robards, one of the most honored and admired of American actors, a performer of haunting depth and power for more than 50 years on stage and in the movies, where he won two Academy Awards, died Tuesday at a hospital in Bridgeport, Conn. Robards, who had cancer, was 78.
Precinct analysis finds racial gap in voided votes
The chads just weren't budging at Georgia Walters' polling place in a Southside Chicago grammar school on Election Day. The tiny cardboard rectangles wouldn't yield when the retired insurance saleswoman tried to poke them with the metal stylus. "I got those poll workers to yell out to the voters, 'Punch hard!' " she said.
Canadian telemarketers barred from selling lottery tickets
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Three Canadian telemarketing companies that allegedly sold foreign lottery tickets to U.S. citizens have been temporarily barred from operating and will have their U.S. assets frozen, the Federal Trade Commission said Tuesday.
Officials: Rampage may have been triggered by IRS dispute
WAKEFIELD, Mass. -- A software engineer accused of targeting seven co-workers at their Internet consulting company for methodical slaughter was denied bail Wednesday after pleading innocent to seven counts of murder.
Seven prison escapees gang up, suspected in officer's death
SAN ANTONIO -- When seven Texas inmates tied up prison employees, stole their clothes and escaped with an arsenal of weapons earlier this month, they left a note warning: "You haven't heard the last of us yet."
Record number of candidates raise $1 million
WASHINGTON -- The price of admission to the House increasingly exceeds $1 million -- with the number of candidates raising seven figures in 2000 almost doubling from the last time Americans picked a president.
Man rescued after 16 days buried in snow
PORTLAND, Ore. -- Chuck Bloom noticed it first -- a patch of black fabric buried in the snow, uncovered by the blades of a snowmobile as he and others rode along a desolate trail.
Bush's daughter rushed to hospital for emergency appendectomy
AUSTIN, Texas -- One of President-elect Bush's twin daughters was recovering in a hospital after she had an emergency appendectomy.
Census to pinpoint winners and losers
WASHINGTON -- The first fruits of the Census Bureau's 2000 count will be visible later this week when officials release numbers that will document changing population trends.
Holiday gift from the heavens: A solar eclipse
BOSTON (AP) -- As celestial events go, it was no Star of Bethlehem. But skywatchers in much of North America were treated Monday to a rarity: a partial solar eclipse on Christmas Day.
Crash kills six teen-agers
CRESTON, Ohio (AP) -- A car apparently traveling too fast went off the side of a rural road and hit a tree early Wednesday, killing six of the seven teen-agers in the vehicle, police said.
Police summoned after flight to Hawaii delayed over Christmas
SEATAC, Wash. (AP) -- They expected a Christmas of sun and surf in Hawaii. Instead, 44 would-be travelers got chilly drizzle and two canceled flights -- and a visit from police.
Four cited for allegedly starting Southern California wildfire
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- Four teen-agers were cited for allegedly starting a blaze that spread over 600 acres and surged within 100 feet of luxury homes.
FedEx driver accused of stealing Christmas gifts, giving them to relatives
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A FedEx contract driver took packages he was supposed to deliver and gave some of the items to relatives as Christmas presents, authorities said.
Titans blank Cowboys
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- The Tennessee Titans didn't slap high-fives with fans as they left the field. Most didn't even bother to show off their T-shirts and hats commemorating their first AFC Central title since 1993.
Rams, Colts get the breaks they need
Before they won, the Rams needed help from the Bears. They got it.
NFL playoff picture
Saturday, Dec. 30
Wolves hold on for win over Raptors
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Minnesota Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders would like NBA games to be 12 minutes shorter. Toronto Raptors coach Lenny Wilkens wishes they were three minutes longer.
Report: Terrell leaving Michigan early for NFL draft
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) -- University of Michigan wide receiver David Terrell will forego his final season of eligibility and declare himself available for the NFL draft, according to a published report.
Mario in spotlight tonight
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Mario Lemieux is coming back. Or is he?
NFL notes
The final Sunday of the NFL's regular season was a painful one for quarterbacks.
Marion Jones is AP's Female Athlete of Year
NEW YORK (AP) -- Marion Jones gambled -- then won and lost.
Boston College dumps Arizona State in Aloha Bowl
HONOLULU (AP) -- If Tom O'Brien decides to leave, the Boston College Eagles certainly gave him a rousing sendoff.
Florida State assistant is now top 'Dawg
ATHENS, Ga. (AP) -- While directing one of the country's most dynamic offenses, Mark Richt's name came up from time to time as a potential head coach.
Another landslide victory for Tiger
Three straight majors. Nine PGA Tour victories, the most by anyone in 50 years. The career Grand Slam, thanks to record performances at Pebble Beach and St. Andrews.
Vikings' Green still seeking answers
EDEN PRAIRIE (AP) -- For now, the Minnesota Vikings have only themselves to worry about, which should keep them busy for two weeks before their NFC playoff game.
Rams collected on an old debt
Old-school adages updated just in time for the 2000 NFL playoffs:
Despite losing to Colts, Vikings clinch first-round bye
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Once the New York Jets lost, the only scoreboard that mattered to the Indianapolis Colts was at their own RCA Dome.
Former NFL quarterback Joe Gilliam dies
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Joe Gilliam Jr., who pawned two Super Bowl rings to feed a drug addiction after a pioneering career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, is also remembered for humanitarian work in his last years.
Marjory G. Landrus
GRAND RAPIDS -- Marjory G. Landrus, 74, Grand Rapids, died Monday, Dec. 25, 2000, at Itasca Medical Center in Grand Rapids.
Rudy Koksma
CROSSLAKE -- Rudy Koksma, 78, Crosslake, died Saturday, Dec. 23, 2000, at his home.
Flossia Armstrong
ROYALTON -- Flossia Armstrong, 86, Royalton, died Friday, Dec. 22, 2000, at St. Otto's Care Center, Little Falls.
Pauline Plante
LITTLE FALLS -- Pauline Plante, 104, Little Falls, died Monday, Dec. 25, 2000, at St. Otto's Care Center in Little Falls.
Arthur Harting
Arthur Harting, 74, Brainerd, died Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2000, at St. Joseph's Medical Center.
Jerry E. Lynch
ORANGE BEACH, Ala. -- Jerry E. Lynch, 72, Orange Beach, Ala., died Dec. 21, 2000, at Providence Hospital in Mobile, Ala.
Mildred B. Kraemer
AITKIN -- Mildred B. Kraemer, 77, Aitkin, died Friday, Dec. 22, 2000, at her home.
James H. Converse
MOTLEY -- James H. Converse, 100, Motley, died Saturday, Dec. 23, 2000, at Greater Staples Care Center.
Clarence Skurka
Clarence Skurka, 73, Brainerd, died Friday, Dec. 22, 2000, at his home.
Marjory G. Landrus
Marjory G. Landrus, 74, Grand Rapids, died Monday, Dec. 25, 2000, at Itasca Medical Center, Grand Rapids.
Helen M. Vadnais
Helen M. Vadnais, 98, Brainerd, died Friday, Dec. 22, 2000, at St. Joseph's Medical Center.
Margaret 'Marge' Smith
BACKUS -- Margaret "Marge" Smith, 66, Backus, died Saturday, Dec. 23, 2000, at SCCI Hospital in Fargo, N.D.
George G. Skon
WADENA -- George G. Skon, 80, Wadena, died Monday, Dec. 25, 2000, at Tri-County Hospital in Wadena.
Josef Harant
PINE RIVER -- Josef Harant, 84, Pine River, died Saturday, Dec. 23, 2000, at Abbott-Northwestern Medical Center, Minneapolis.
Arthur 'Art' Farrier
LITTLE FALLS -- Arthur "Art" Farrier, 81, Little Falls, died Sunday, Dec. 24, 2000, at home.
Pauline Plante
LITTLE FALLS -- Pauline Plante, 104, a resident of St. Otto's Care Center, died Monday, Dec. 25, 2000, on her birthday.
Albin F. Knutson
Albin F. Knutson, 96, Brainerd, died Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2000, at VA Medical Center in St. Cloud.
Carroll G. 'Corn' Flake
CLOQUET -- Carroll G. "Corn" Flake, 79, Cloquet, and formerly of Carleton, died Friday, Dec. 22, 2000, in Shelton, Wash.
Herbert K. Erickson
Herbert K. Erickson, 89, Brainerd, died Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2000, at St. Joseph's Medical Center.
Darwin L. Goff
Darwin L. Goff, 75, Staples, died Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2000 at the Greater Staples Hospital.
Bush's grim comments cause unease
WASHINGTON -- Maybe it's the stark contrast with the praise that people have been lavishing on the American economy for almost a decade. Maybe it's that the economy seems so vulnerable that it doesn't need another shove. Maybe it's just the old rule about not yelling fire in a crowded theater.
It's your business - Dispatch Editorials
It may not have the fuzzy appeal of "Everybody Loves Raymond" or the raw adventure attraction of pro wrestling, but the Pequot Lakes School Board meeting on TV deserves rave reviews.
Those spendthrift Republicans
Republicans have made some political hay in recent years by accusing Democrats of being the tax-and-spend party. Ronald Reagan rode into town on a dual platform of cutting taxes and reducing spending, along with the size of government. He managed to reduce taxes but he failed to slay the spending beast.
Open forum
On Thursday, Dec. 21 between 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., while eating supper at Rafferty's, my 7-year-old son lost his Limited Edition Pokemon Color Gameboy hand held game with a game in it.
Waltzing the Kettle, titillating the heart
It's 5:15 a.m. Saturday morning and there's something inside pushing hard to get me up and tell my story about an incredible experience I had yesterday.
Obsession - Dispatch Editorial
While grudgingly admitting that the United States, as the last superpower, is the engine that makes the whole world run, Europeans seem to take consolation in assuming they are culturally and morally superior to Americans.
Hillary: Celebrity and controversy
WASHINGTON -- Hillary Rodham Clinton will begin her Senate career next week much as she and her husband have spent eight years in the White House: Buoyed by celebrity but dogged by controversy, especially allegations that she pushes the limits of legality and propriety on matters of money and ethics.
Warrior gymnasts
Kathleen Lorenz of the Brainerd Warriors scored a 7.95 in the uneven bars event at the Brainerd Invitational on Saturday. (Dispatch Photos by Clint Wood)
Tournies take area holiday spotlilght
Christmas is for gift giving and spending time with family but it's also time for high school holiday tournaments.
Hamilton remains centered for Gophers
MINNEAPOLIS -- As long as Ben Hamilton has played center for the Minnesota Gophers, opponents have had to take the long route to the quarterback.
Scoreboard
Girls Hockey
Brainerd girls skate to victory
BLAINE -- The Brainerd Warriors girls' hockey team skated to a 4-0 victory over Princeton in the opening round of the Blue Division of the Holiday Cup tournament at the Super Rink Tuesday.
Scoreboard
Boys Basketball
NHL's return highlights 2000
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Wild may finish this season in last place, but it's unlikely hockey fans will remember 2000 for anything other than the year pro hockey returned.
Apple Valley's Christmas 'gift'
Annalisa Aakhus won the beam competition and Molly Smith finished first in the vault. But the truly amazing thing about the seven-team Brainerd Invitational gymnastics tournament Saturday was how the team event ended.
Zoned Forcasts
Ne minnesota and nw wisconsin zone forecasts...
Minesota State Forecast
Winter storm watch southwest late tonight and Thursday...
Winds ravage Southern California
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Strong winds wreaked havoc on parts of Southern California on Monday, fanning wildfires, knocking out power and forcing highway officials to post warnings for Christmas Day travelers.
Minnesota State Forecast
Today...Partly cloudy north. Mostly cloudy with flurries this morning in the central and south...Then decreasing cloudiness. Highs in the single digits north and teens south.
The Weather Elsewhere With Tomorrow's Temperature Forecast
Wednesday
The Weather Elsewhere
Temperatures indicate Monday's high and overnight low to 8 a.m. Eastern Time.
Storm ices southern Plains
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- An ice storm across the southern Plains knocked out power to nearly a half-million homes and businesses and stranded travelers through the region, unexpectedly extending their holiday vacations.
Me and my snowman
Weather drawing by Kayla Kraemer of Mrs. Smith's first grade class at St. Francis school.
Happy New Year
Weather drawing by Jace Kuehn of Sharon Jendro's first grade class at Lowell school.
Minnesota State Forecast
MINNESOTA HighLowPR
Ice, sleet, snow make a winter nightmare
OKLAHOMA CITY -- Dreams of a white Christmas turned into a winter nightmare in Oklahoma as an ice storm made roads throughout the state treacherous for holiday drivers.
Regional Weather
HighLowPR
Names and faces
NEW YORK (AP) -- Madonna and new husband Guy Ritchie are said to be honeymooning with rock star Sting and his wife, Trudie Styler, the friends who introduced them.
Names and faces
NEW YORK (AP) -- "What a Girl Wants" singer Christina Aguilera knows exactly what to ask for.
Hopes for peace persist amid Christmas celebrations in world's hot spots
LONDON -- From Bethlehem to the camps of NATO troops in Bosnia, Christians in some of the most violence-shattered corners of the world celebrated this year's Christmas with prayers for future peace.
Face-to-face talks set for Barak, Arafat on U.S.-authored peace plan
JERUSALEM -- Palestinians contested some points in a U.S.-authored peace plan Wednesday, and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak were preparing for face-to-face talks to try to iron out their differences.
Russians regain contact with Mir
MOSCOW (AP) -- Russian ground controllers lost contact for nearly 20 hours with the Mir space station before re-establishing communication Tuesday, allaying fears the accident-prone, 140-ton vessel might have spun dangerously out of control.
Mission Control says Mir back under control, easing concerns
MOSCOW (AP) -- Mission Control has regained a firm hold on the Mir space station after a sudden loss of radio contact, Russian officials said Wednesday, allaying fears of an uncontrolled plunge by the aging orbiter.
Israelis, Palestinians weigh peace plan
JERUSALEM (AP) -- Israelis and Palestinians on Tuesday debated a U.S. peace proposal that would require each to give ground on emotional issues like control over holy sites and the right of Palestinian refugees to return.
Horrific fire
BEIJING -- A fire swept through a central China shopping center, where a top-floor disco was packed with Christmas revelers, trapping hundreds and forcing many to try to escape out windows. At least 309 people were killed, state media reported Tuesday.