USA

February 15, 2006

US District Judge Leonie Brinkema called confessed Al Qaeda conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui "the biggest enemy of yourself" in barring him from an Alexandria, Va., courtroom during remaining jury-selection procedures for his forthcoming death-penalty trial. Because of repeated outbursts, Moussaoui was removed from the court four times when jury selection began Feb. 6. Individual questioning of jurors begins Wednesday, with opening statements scheduled for March 6.

The White House announced it will increase efforts to enforce laws governing trade with China. A new chief counsel for trade enforcement will be appointed to police unfair practices and enforce intellectual property rights, the announcement said. Last week, the US trade deficit with China grew to $201.6 billion, a record with a single country.

Vice President Cheney has paid $7 to the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife to cover the cost of a hunting stamp he didn't have when he accidentally wounded a quail-shooting colleague, his office said. The friend, Austin attorney Harry Whittington, continued to be listed in stable condition in a Corpus Christi hospital Tuesday. Cheney has not commented publicly on the accident, and the White House said its delay in disclosing the incident stemmed from a need to first get the facts.

The American bald eagle could belatedly be taken off the endangered species list within the next year or so, federal officials said of plans to ensure various protections for the national symbol. Forty-three years ago there were only 417 known nesting pairs in the lower 48 states; today more than 7,000 pairs are known to exist.

Billionaire Warren Buffett will not seek reelection to the board of directors of Coca-Cola, the world's largest soft drink company announced Tuesday. He's been on Coke's board since 1989, but cited increased demands on his time as the reason for stepping down.