EVENTS
BOSNIA TRUCE TALKS STALL The latest Bosnian cease-fire showed signs of unraveling yesterday, as talks stalled on implementing it around Sarajevo and fierce fighting was reported in the northwest. The United Nations reported fighting between Muslim-led government troops and their Serb foes near the northwestern town of Bosanska Krupa - the first major battles between the two sides since a four-month truce began New Year's Day. Neither the Croatian Serbs nor the Muslims loyal to separatist leader Fikret Abdic signed the truce. In Sarajevo, meanwhile, talks on implementing the truce around the Bosnian capital broke up late Wednesday after nearly seven hours. No agreement was reached, and talks were scheduled to resume today. Talks on N. Korea set
The United States, South Korea, and Japan will hold a new round of talks beginning Monday in Washington on plans to finance $4 billion in new nuclear technology as part of the North Korea nuclear deal. The talks are a continuation of discussions held last November in Washington and last December in San Francisco.
Few Haitians return
Hours before a deadline, the United States said Wednesday that only a fraction of the 4,500 Haitian refugees still in an American safe area have agreed to return home voluntarily. It repeated earlier warnings that the rest would be forcibly sent back. The Clinton administration announced Dec. 29 that about 4,000 Haitians still seeking refuge at the US naval base at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba would have to go home. It gave them until midnight Wednesday to accept an offer that included a repatriation grant of about $80, plus access to the jobs programs that have been set up in Haiti through US and international efforts.
Simpson drops DNA fight
O.J. Simpson's lawyers announced this week that they won't try to keep the jury from seeing the heart of the prosecution's case: results of DNA tests on blood found at the crime scene and in Simpson's Ford Bronco. The tactic saves Simpson a half-million dollars or more and pushes his double-murder trial onto the fast track. Opening statements, which could have started as late as March, may now begin by the end of this month. Tire workers to be replaced
On picket lines from Des Moines to Oklahoma City, striking Bridgestone-Firestone workers were defiant but also a bit anxious about the company's plans to replace 2,000 of them. The tire maker announced Wednesday it was replacing about half the 4,000 workers who walked off the job six months ago from plants in Des Moines, Oklahoma City, Decatur, Ill., and Noblesville, Ind.
Perry to India, Pakistan
Defense Secretary William Perry will seek new bilateral US military ties with Pakistan and India on a visit to those South Asian nations next week, a senior Defense official said Wednesday. Mr. Perry will also discuss the controversial issue of nuclear proliferation with leaders in Islamabad and New Delhi, the official told reporters.
Marilyn Monroe stamp
Actress Marilyn Monroe will grace a US postage stamp this year, with the design being officially unveiled yesterday at Planet Hollywood in New York. The 32-cent Monroe stamp will be the first in a series honoring stars of Hollywood, postal officials said.
