News In Brief

Who needs a limo?

Aviator Charles Lindbergh wasn't one to wear his wealth on his sleeve. Perhaps that explains why he once drove a bedraggled 1959 VW Beetle - with dents, rust stains, and a broken odometer. People are quite surprised, considering that "he could afford ... a limousine," said Donald Westfall of the Lindbergh historic site. Lindbergh, who spent summers in Minnesota, donated the car in 1972 to Minnesota's Historical Society, which will display it, beginning mid-July.

A close call

Confused Seattle police officers in two cars fired 20 rounds at each other after mistaking the other's vehicle for a stolen patrol car. Nobody was hurt, though police were quite embarrassed about the mishap. The first squad car pursuing the stolen vehicle lost sight of it. Minutes later, another cop car drove up and mistaking the first car for the stolen one, rammed it. Police thought they were being attacked and fired. The real culprit was caught later when he returned the stolen cop car - to a police parking lot.

Would-be Americans quizzed about history, government

Before being sworn in as US citizens, applicants undergo an interview by the Immigration and Naturalization Service. To pass, they must answer correctly 6 of 10 questions on US history and government. While some questions might seem simple to a native-born citizen, not all are a snap. Would you have scored 100 percent if the test consisted of these sample questions? (See answers below)

1. What do the stripes on the flag mean?

2. Who elects the president?

3. How many changes or amendments are there to the Constitution?

4. Who said "Give me liberty or give me death"?

5. Who becomes president if the president and vice president die?

6. Which countries were our enemies during World War II?

Answers: 13 original states; Electoral College; 27; Patrick Henry; Speaker of House of Representatives; Germany, Italy, Japan.

- Associated Press

(c) Copyright 2001. The Christian Science Monitor