SEARCH FOR HOFFA'S REMAINS

Search for Hoffa's remains
MILFORD TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- In one of the most intensive searches for Jimmy Hoffa in decades, the FBI summoned archaeologists and anthropologists and brought in heavy equipment to scour a horse farm Thursday for the body of the former Teamsters boss who vanished in 1975. Daniel Roberts, agent in charge of the Detroit FBI field office, would not disclose what led agents to the farm, but said: "This is probably a fairly credible lead. You can gather that from the number of people out here." No trace of Hoffa has ever been found, and no one has been charged in the case. But investigators have long suspected that he was killed by the mob to keep him from reclaiming the Teamsters presidency after he got out of prison for corruption. The farm, just outside Detroit, used to be owned by a Teamsters official.
Handcuffs are a symbolin the war on terrorism
NEW YORK -- The handcuffs began as standard-issue gear for Port Authority police officer Donald McIntyre, who was killed in the line of duty Sept. 11, 2001. When the cuffs were discovered in the rubble of the World Trade Center, they became a keepsake for his widow. By the time McIntyre's co-worker began slapping the same handcuffs on terrorist suspects four years ago, the gear that once hung from McIntyre's belt took on an almost mystical caste. "It became a spiritual thing," said Thomas McHale, a detective with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey who took the handcuffs to Afghanistan while chasing terrorism suspects. "I thought, 'You're helping us down here, Donnie.'" On Thursday, McHale received a standing ovation when he was awarded the Port Authority's Medal of Honor, presented to those who demonstrate extraordinary bravery in the face of possible death. McHale got the award for the two months he spent in Pakistan and Afghanistan in early 2002, working with the Joint Terrorism Task Force. The cuffs, engraved with the name "Mac," were collected from McIntyre's widow before McHale headed overseas. By the time he returned, they had been placed on about 70 suspected al-Qaida and Taliban supporters.
Settlement thrown outin diocese sex-abuse case
SPOKANE, Wash. -- A federal judge rejected a $45.7 million settlement Thursday for 75 people who have filed sex-abuse claims against the bankrupt Roman Catholic Diocese of Spokane. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Patricia Williams threw out the agreement during a telephone conference hearing, according to lawyers who took part. The judge urged the dozens of lawyers representing the diocese, victims, parishes and other parties to enter into mediation. The judge, noting that bankruptcy law calls for settlements to be "fair and equitable" to all parties, decided the deal favored the 75 people over other alleged victims, lawyers for both sides said. The deal, announced earlier this year, was controversial from the start because it covered only a fraction of those who had filed lawsuits contending they were abused by priests in Spokane.
Security forces face off
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip -- The new Hamas security force clashed with Fatah fighters in Gaza late Thursday, culminating a day of tense standoffs as the rivals competed for control of the Palestinian territory. Two Palestinian policemen were shot in the legs during the exchange of fire near the parliament building and police headquarters, officials said. A Hamas gunman was also wounded, the group said. His condition was not disclosed. The Palestinian police, who are mostly Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas loyalists, were instructed by radio to respond with force to any attacks by Hamas forces. An Associated Press reporter on the scene said Hamas forces closed off the streets leading to police headquarters, the stronghold of the Fatah loyalists, and sporadic exchanges of fire could be heard every few minutes, half an hour after the clash began.
Mayor faces sex charges
WALDRON, Ark. -- The 72-year-old mayor was arrested this week on charges he sought sex from two women in exchange for preventing their water from being turned off. One of the women told investigators she had been having sex with Troy Anderson for money for eight to 10 years, according to an affidavit. She said Anderson paid her $25 per encounter and $60 for a late water deposit. He also allowed her to change the name on her overdue water bill to keep the service running, the affidavit said. In February, the woman wore a recording device when Anderson picked her up for a sexual encounter, authorities said. In January, a second woman with a late water bill wore a recording device when she met the mayor at an apartment to seek his help getting custody of her granddaughter from the state Department of Health and Human Services.
Associated Press