USA
Beginning Thursday, the nation's 361 seaports are introducing tougher security measures aimed at foiling terrorists, as a treaty signed by 148 countries in 2002 goes into effect. The Coast Guard plans to board every foreign-flagged vessel about to enter a US port and may turn back those that fail an inspection. The measures call for all cargo eventually to go through radiation scanners.
With Independence Day approaching, customs agents have been asked to be on the lookout for suspicious travelers arriving at six US airports from Pakis-tan, a Homeland Security official said Tuesday. Agents have been instructed to watch specifically for physical signs of possible recent participation at terrorist training camps. Home- land Security Undersecretary Asa Hutchinson said nine foreign airline pilots have been barred from the US because of possible ties to terrorists.
Mexico's government agreed to a US plan Tuesday that will begin providing free flights and bus rides home to illegal immigrants. The program, which will cost an estimated $12 million to $13 million, is designed to save lives in the Arizona desert, where more than 154 border- crossers died from exposure over the last fiscal year.
The US-European Cassini spacecraft was scheduled to enter Saturn's orbit Wednesday night after an almost seven-year journey. The probe will spend four years studying the planet, its rings, and its 31 moons.
Despite growing congressional disenchantment with the US trade embargo of Cuba, new and tougher regulations were set to go into effect at midnight Wednesday. The measures are designed to close loopholes that could deprive Cuba of $150 million a year.
Almost one in 10 children will endure sexual misconduct in their K-12 years by school employees, a new report delivered to Congress projected. It said the incidents would range from inappropriate comments to criminal abuse.
In its preliminary air-quality report card released Tuesday, the Environmental Protection Agency said 243 counties - home to 99 million people - have problems with dangerous levels of particulate matter. Most of the polluted counties are east of the Mississippi River. Final results will be announced in November. States then have until 2008 to develop plans to reduce pollution to acceptable levels by 2010 or risk losing federal funds.
