hLetter-writing earns honors for Danish girl

hLetter-writing earns honors for Danish girl
Cathrine Dufour waves as she waits for the cue to deliver her speech at the award ceremony for the world championships in letter-writing in Copenhagen, Denmark. More than 3 million children participated. First prize was awarded to a Cuban contestant who was not present for the ceremony Saturday. Cathrine won second prize for a letter that described what transpired when The Ugly Duckling went to see a psychologist.
Peace talks to resumeafter Israeli pullout
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip -- Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas said Saturday that Mideast peace talks should resume immediately after Israel completes its Gaza withdrawal and expressed hope that a Palestinian state will be established by next year. In a wide-ranging interview, Abbas also pledged to bring diverse militias from the ruling Fatah movement under central control within three weeks. He said the U.S. has assured him that peace negotiations with Israel can resume as soon as Israel completes its withdrawal from Gaza, expected by Sept. 15. Israel has already evacuated some 9,000 Jewish settlers from Gaza and four isolated West Bank enclaves.
French president suffersblood vessel problem
PARIS -- French President Jacques Chirac has been hospitalized after suffering a blood vessel problem in his eye, the prime minister said Saturday. Officials said he was canceling several appointments this week, and while supporters played down the severity of the situation, the surprise hospitalization was likely to trigger questions about future changes in the French political landscape that Chirac has dominated for a decade. Chirac, 72, was alert and consulting with advisers after being taken Friday evening to a Paris military hospital, said Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin after visiting the president for about an hour Saturday.
White doves, bells markattack anniversary
BESLAN, Russia -- Thousands of anguished residents of the small town of Beslan marked the anniversary of one of Russia's deadliest terrorist attacks Saturday with white doves rising into the air, the tolling of bells, and tears. Mourners again bid a wrenching farewell to hundreds of adults and children who perished in a storm of gunfire and explosions on Sept. 3, 2004, after enduring nearly three days of thirst, hunger and fear as hostages at Beslan's School No. 1. A day after a meeting with victims' relatives, President Vladimir Putin ordered a fresh investigation, acknowledging criticism of the authorities' handling of the school seizure by heavily armed militants, the botched rescue and the subsequent inquiry.
Roberts' confirmationlooks likely, experts say
WASHINGTON -- John Roberts is on track for a seat on the Supreme Court barring a misstep at hearings beginning Tuesday, according to supporters and critics who say the coming confirmation debate will test Senate Democrats as well as the nominee. Relatively few Republicans and no Democrats have formally announced how they will vote on the nomination of the 50-year-old appeals court judge, saying they first want to follow the hearings. Behind the studied show of neutrality, though, several Republicans who are tracking Roberts' nomination say he already has the likely support of all but two or three of 55 GOP senators and perhaps a few Democrats -- enough to assure confirmation unless liberals launch a filibuster.
4 students accusedof vandalizing home
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. -- Four high school students have been accused of vandalizing the home of a Jewish family with swastikas. Adam Stanley Sugg-Jacobs, 17, and two of the other juveniles, whose names were not released, live in the same neighborhood as the family whose home was vandalized.
Associated Press