USA
President Bush was expected to defend the increasingly costly war in Iraq and his administration's handling of the war on terrorism in a televised speech Sunday night, days ahead of the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Some analysts characterized the 15-minute address as a key test for Bush, whose strong popularity has slipped according to some recent opinion polls. Administration officials said Bush may announce how much more funding he wants Congress to approve for the military and rebuilding effort - reportedly in the $65 billion range. Bush also was to outline efforts to secure a UN resolution that will encourage more governments to contribute troops and money to the Iraq operation.
The administration appeared set to demand that Iran grant UN inspectors unfettered access to its nuclear sites at a meeting of the UN's nuclear watchdog agency Monday in Vienna. The US reportedly agreed to tone down an earlier, stronger request for a UN Security Council inquiry due to lack of support. US officials have long accused Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons, a charge the Tehran government denies, insisting its program is for energy purposes only.
A law that allows illegal immigrants to obtain drivers' licenses was signed by California Gov. Gray Davis (D) Friday in Los Angeles. Davis, who is facing a recall election Oct. 7, reversed his previous opposition to the measure, which has the potential to affect an estimated 1 million undocumented workers in the state. His push for a "no" vote in the recall picked up an endorsement Saturday from Howard Dean, the former Vermont governor and front-runner in the race for the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination.
After an accident that killed one person and injured 10 others at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., Friday, Walt Disney chairman Michael Eisner said the theme park was working closely with state and local authorities to determine the cause "as quickly as possible," and expressed condolences. A locomotive on the Big Thunder Mountain roller-coaster separated from its cars and jumped the tracks. There have been 10 fatalities at the popular park since it opened in 1955, police said, not all of them ride-related.
Justine Henin-Hardenne won the women's singles title at the US Open Tennis Tournament Saturday, defeating No. 1-ranked Kim Clijsters. Both are from Belgium. Repeated rain delays at the tournament in Flushing Meadows, N.Y., left some players with just a few hours rest between matches. In his first appearance in a Grand Slam final, Andy Roddick of the US was facing Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain for the men's championship Sunday.
