USA

Calling suicide bombings in the name of religion "simple terror," President Bush said he wants Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat to denounce them. Earlier, the White House denied claims that Bush had given Israel a "green light" for its tough crackdown on Palestinians and their leader in response to a series of such attacks. With US envoy Anthony Zinni still in the Middle East, several senators are urging the administration to do more to bring an end to the sharply escalating violence there. (Stories, pages 1, 6, 7; editorial, page 8.)

Federal prosecutors and lawyers for American-born Taliban fighter John Walker Lindh squared off on legal issues in federal Court in Alexandria, Va. The defense is seeking to bar an FBI interview with Lindh from being used as evidence, alleging that he spoke under duress while a prisoner of US forces in Afghanistan, and that military officials altered interrogation reports. Prosecutors deny both claims. Lindh's lawyers also want jury selection, set for August, moved back until after Sept. 11. Lindh is accused of conspiring to kill Americans and aiding a foreign terrorist group, among other charges.

Five protesters were detained at the Navy's bombing range on Vieques, Puerto Rico, shortly after the start of three weeks of planned training exercises. Activists opposed to the US military presence on the island occupied the range for almost a year in 1999 and have continued to stage invasions. But demonstrations have been more muted in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The trial of Michael McDermott, accused of killing seven co-workers during a shooting spree in Wakefield, Mass., two years ago, was set to begin Monday. Defense lawyers planned to argue that their client was insane at the time. Prosecutors contend he acted out of revenge because his employer planned to garnish his wages over unpaid taxes. If convicted, McDermott could be sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Connecticut clinched the NCAA women's basketball championship with an 82-70 victory over Oklahoma Sunday night. This is UConn's third national title and the second time it has gone undefeated for an entire season. The first was in 1995. Oklahoma, meanwhile, made its first appearance at the championship game.

Hundreds of children were welcomed by the president and First Lady Laura Bush for the annual White House Easter Egg Roll (above). White House chefs prepared almost 11,000 hard-boiled eggs and a 4 1/2-foot tall chocolate one for the event, which dates back to the 1870s.