News In Brief
Rep. Dan Burton (R) of Indiana said he would release full transcripts of 54 of Webster Hubbell's telephone calls from prison after critics said earlier excerpts were unfairly edited. In one taped call not released last week, Hubbell reportedly said Mrs. Clinton "just had no idea what was going on" at the Rose Law Firm in Little Rock, Ark., regarding any billing irregularities.
The Whitewater grand jury in Little Rock entered its final four days of deliberation. Independent counsel Kenneth Starr had not said whether he would ask for a new Arkansas grand jury, but there was speculation he would now concentrate his resources on the grand-jury proceedings in Washington. A year ago, he was granted a grand-jury extension in Arkansas, based on a declaration that prosecutors there had gathered extensive evidence of possible obstruction of justice - including witness tampering, perjury, and document destruction.
Another independent counsel will soon be named to investigate President Clinton, the head of the Senate Judiciary Committee said. Sen. Orrin Hatch (R) of Utah told Fox TV that Attorney General Janet Reno may soon have "no choice" but to seek a new special prosecutor - this time to investigate alleged campaign-finance abuses - because of what Hatch implied may be new evidence of wrongdoing.
Microsoft warned Wall Street that any delay in release of its Windows 98 software would have "broad, negative consequences" for "the entire PC industry." In a letter from its chief financial officer to some 150 stock analysts, software firms, and venture capitalists, the computer giant said it wasn't sure whether the Justice Department or state attorneys general would try to interfere with the launch of Windows 98, but the company wanted to "outline the possible financial ramifications" of such action.
Clinton offered new evidence of his bullish outlook for the booming US economy. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal and CNBC cable TV, he said that fundamental changes in the business cycle could fuel prolonged growth - and that the US budget surplus may reach $50 billion for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30. Meanwhile, the US stock market extended last week's advance, as the Dow Jones industrial average jumped more than 100 points in late-morning trading.
A majority of voters want the US to be even-handed in promoting peace in the Middle East, a poll indicated. The survey, commissioned by the Washington-based Arab American Institute and London's Al Majallah magazine, found respondents disagreeing by a 2 to 1 margin with a letter sent to Clinton by 81 US senators last month, urging him not to put public pressure on Israel. Asked about the letter, 51.2 percent said he should do "whatever is necessary" to jump-start peace talks, including leaning on Israel if warranted.
Police using tear gas and water hoses confronted rock-throwing partygoers near the Washington State University campus in Pullman. Three people were arrested, and 23 police officers injured. The disturbance started when police, investigating a car-pedestrian accident, encountered as many as 200 people at a rented house. Authorities were unsure what prompted the violent incident, in which beer cans and rocks were thrown at the officers and pieces of furniture were set afire in the street.
A Swiss bank agreed to settle a claim by Holocaust survivor Estelle Sapir, a New York resident who was unable after World War II to retrieve millions of dollars left to her by her father, her attorney said. Attorney Edward Fagan, who said the terms do not permit disclosure of the amount, called the agreement with Credit Suisse "an historical settlement" because it is the first time a Swiss bank has agreed to pay off a legal wartime claim.
The World
Secretary of State Albright was to hold an unscheduled second meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu in London - an indication that progress was being made in discussions on a comprehensive peace deal for the Middle East. As he waited his turn to see Albright, Palestinian Authority President Arafat said "chaos will ensue" if Netanyahu's "negative attitude" prevents him from accepting US proposals for a 13 percent pullback from the West Bank.
Hefty and immediate increases in bus and railway fares, electricity rates, and the prices of gasoline and cooking fuel were announced by the government of Indonesia. The move is part of a deal with the International Monetary Fund to restructure the struggling economy in exchange for a $38 billion bailout. But it caused massive traffic jams as drivers tried to fill their vehicles with fuel before prices rose. Dozens of people were hurt at two universities as angry students clashed with police.
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan dismissed a published report that he failed - as chief of peacekeeping operations - to intervene in the 1994 Rwandan genocide. He called The New Yorker magazine account "an old story" and said the UN lacked the support of member governments to prevent the deaths of more than 800,000 minority Tutsis. Meanwhile, the UN's Rwanda genocide tribunal announced its first guilty plea - by Hutu ex-Prime Minister Jean Kambanda.
Amid low expectations, a new round of peace talks aimed at ending Sudan's 15-year civil war opened in neighboring Kenya. But although critics said they expected no breakthrough, the Khartoum government announced it would allow extra cargo planes to fly desperately needed food and supplies to the rebel-controlled southern region of the country, where as many as 700,000 people face starvation. Drought and fighting have prevented crops from being planted there.
US mediator Richard Holbrooke blamed Turkish Cypriots for his failure to restart peace negotiations on the Mediterranean island. He left after a three-day mission, saying "a meaningful exchange is not possible" between Turks and Greeks as long as Turkish leader Rauf Denktash demands recognition for his breakaway state and cancellation of membership talks between Cyprus and the European Union.
Issues were taking a back seat to personalities as Filipinos counted down to Saturday's national elections. Vice President Joseph Estrada was far ahead in public opinion polls in the race to succeed President Fidel Ramos, despite the latter's hopes that House Speaker Jos de Venecia will win. Manila's Roman Catholic Archbishop, Jaime Sin, also opposes Estrada, whom he has called morally unfit. Sin warned of a "people's revolution" if cheating subverts the election.
Danish employers announced plans to lock out 60,000 nonstriking workers as the nationwide walkout by 550,000 of their fellow union members reached its ninth day. Food deliveries across the country were in danger of ending because of severe fuel shortages.
Carrying the type of insurance issued to ships in a war zone, 35 Norwegian vessels set out from the port of Tromso to open the annual whaling season. Their destinations were kept secret to prevent sabotage efforts by antiwhaling activists. Officials also refused to say where, when, and to whom the ships would deliver their catches. Norway resumed commercial whaling in 1993 despite an international ban; the government is allowing a quota of 671 minke whales in this year's hunt.
Etceteras
" It's more possible than it used to be ... to have a prolonged period of growth,
if it's properly managed."
- President Clinton, in an interview with CNBC and The Wall Street Journal on a possible hike in US interest rates.
If you're on a shoestring budget and wondering when circumstances will permit investing in your first house, Bruce Berry may have just the answer. He has one he'll give away. The "cute" two-bedroom, brick dwelling is structually sound. But it stands on a lot he intends to use for a store and, rather than see it torn down, he's offering it for the taking. The only catch: You must pay to have it moved. It also might help if you live within reasonable driving distance of the house's current location: Hermitage, Pa.
Also available is a one-story home in a small-town setting in central Kansas. Asking price: $25,000. Lots of lookers, the realtor reports, but only one serious offer so far. That couple backed out, however, on learning that the previous owner was convicted Oklahoma City bombing conspirator Terry Nichols.
One spending plan that has too much pork in it to suit taxpayers is "the other white meat" campaign for the National Pork Producers Council. Some Indiana hog farmers say the fee they're assessed for the ads is carving their bottom line to shreds. They're petitioning to end it.
Tony Nominees for 1998
The winners of this year's Tony Awards will be announced June 7. These productions have been nominated by category for the honor of being selected best of the Broadway season:
Play: "Art," "The Beauty Queen of Leenane," "Freak," "Golden Child"
Musical: "The Lion King," "Ragtime," "The Scarlet Pimpernel," "Side Show"
Book of a Musical: "The Lion King," "Ragtime," "The Scarlet Pimpernel," "Side Show"
Original Score: "The Capeman," "The Lion King," "Ragtime," "Side Show"
Revival of a Musical: "Cabaret," "1776," "The Sound of Music"
Revival of a Play: "Ah, Wilderness!," "The Chairs," "The Diary of Anne Frank," "A View From the Bridge"
- Associated Press
