USA
In cities across the nation, antiwar protesters joined demonstrators in other parts of the world to oppose US-led military efforts in Iraq on the war's third anniversary. One of the largest turnouts was in Chicago, where 7,000 people marched. In New York, about 1,000 protesters descended on Times Square and a military recruiting station, which was guarded by police.
Massachusetts is "actively considering" a lawsuit against Bechtel/Parsons Brinckerhoff, the lead contractor for the "Big Dig," the largest public works project in US history, according to Attorney General Tom Reilly (D). The state wants the company to refund $108 million for alleged shoddy work on the underground highway through Boston. The 14-year project has far exceeded original cost estimates and now carries a $14.6 billion price tag.
Retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark, who sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 2004, was among three potential 2008 candidates testing the political waters in New Hampshire over the weekend. The others: Govs. Bill Richardson (D) of New Mexico and Mitt Romney (R) of Massachusetts.
Displaced voters heard incumbent New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin (D) and six of 24 other mayoral candidates from Louisiana at a weekend forum in Atlanta. Because more than half of New Orleans' 500,000 residents have dispersed since hurricane Katrina, campaigning for the state's April 22 primary election has taken on a national dimension. Nagin touted a new comprehensive rebuilding plan, while Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu (D), a major rival, emphasized that New Orleans is already behind in rebuilding.
With several more days of heavy rain predicted, Hawaiian officials called for monitoring high-risk reservoirs on the island of Kauai, where a dam burst last week, killing up to seven people. Gov. Linda Lingle (R) extended a state of emergency through March 26 to expedite evacuations and disaster relief.
In San Diego Monday night, the inaugural World Baseball Classic concludes with Cuba squaring off against Japan in a winner-take-all championship game.
Fashion designer Oleg Cassini, who died late last week on Long Island, N.Y., was best known for creating Jacqueline Kennedy's White House wardrobe.
