USA

Much of the Northeast was digging out from the biggest snowstorm in seven years to hit the region. A state highways official in Garrett County, Md., which was under 49 inches of white stuff, said the area "looks more like Siberia." Western Pennsylvania recorded 40 inches and almost 20 inches blanketed metropolitan New York. At least 28 deaths are blamed on the storm, which stranded thousands of air travelers, and closed stores, many of which had planned big sales for the holiday weekend.

A second UN resolution on Iraq would be helpful, but isn't necessary to authorize military action, President Bush said. If the world body can't enforce its resolutions, "it says something about its utility," he added. Referring to massive antiwar protests last weekend, Bush said, "I respectfully disagree" with those who don't regard Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein as a threat to peace.

Bush spoke at a swearing-in ceremony for William Donaldson as chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Donaldson, a respected Wall Street investment banker, pledged to restore investor confidence by demanding "responsible corporate governance" and holding accountable those who violate the public trust.

Chicago authorities were expected to file charges against owners of a nightclub where 21 people died and 57 others were injured in a stampede early Monday. Officials said a judge had ordered the E2 nightclub closed in July due to safety violations, among them too few exits. An attorney for the club owners countered that his clients later struck a deal with the city to remain open.

A hacker stole information on 2.2 million Visa and MasterCard accounts by breaking into the files of a company that processes credit card transactions, the financial services firms told CNN. Both said they alerted the banks that issued the cards, and MasterCard said it was working with the FBI to find those responsible.

Thirty-two illegal Haitian and Jamaican immigrants were in police custody, facing deportation after a restaurant cleaning woman spotted them on a pier in Deerfield Beach, Fla., early Monday. An American suspected of smuggling the group aboard a 43-foot cabin cruiser also was arrested.

Launching his campaign for governor of Mississippi, Haley Barbour, ex-chairman of the Republican National Committee, declared, "I know we can do better." If he wins the August primary, Barbour is expected to face Democratic incumbent Ronnie Musgrove in November.