BUSH, CONGRESS HEAD TOWARD LEGAL SHOWDOWN

Bush, Congress headtoward legal showdown
WASHINGTON -- President Bush and the Democratic-controlled Congress careened closer to a full-blown legal showdown over the firing of federal prosecutors Wednesday as a House subcommittee voted subpoenas for top administration officials in defiance of the White House. "After two months of stonewalling, shifting stories and misleading testimony, it is clear that we are still not getting the truth about the decision to fire these prosecutors and its cover-up," said Rep. Linda Sanchez, D-Calif. In response, an unyielding White House threatened to rescind its day-old proposal for top strategist Karl Rove and other officials to answer lawmakers' questions away from the glare of television lights and not under oath. "If they issue subpoenas, yes, the offer is withdrawn," said presidential spokesman Tony Snow. Democrats "will have rejected the offer," he said. Despite the rhetoric, Rep. John Conyers, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, repeatedly suggested there was room for negotiations in a confrontation that has threatened Attorney General Alberto Gonzales' hold on his job and forced his chief of staff to resign.
Study shows high riskfaced by U.S. firefighters
Firefighters face a far greater risk of dying of heart problems while battling a blaze than was thought, suggests a large U.S. study that offers more evidence of their need to stay in shape. The risk of a heart-related death while putting out a fire was up to 100 times higher than the risk during down time, Harvard researchers found, even though fighting fires accounts for only a small percentage of these workers' time. About 100 firefighters die in the line of duty each year, and previous research has shown that nearly half of the deaths are due to heart disease. The vast majority -- about 70 percent -- of the nation's roughly 1 million firefighters are volunteers. Experts say diet and exercise should be priorities at the firehouse. "You may not be able to prevent all these deaths, but to the degree you can prevent some deaths by paying attention to underlying risk factors and better fitness programs, that's the goal," said Dr. Linda Rosenstock, dean of the UCLA School of Public Health.
Boy Scout recovering
GREENSBORO, N.C. -- The 12-year-old Boy Scout rescued after spending four days lost in the rugged North Carolina mountains remained hospitalized Wednesday, recovering from severe dehydration and exposure to cold. Michael Auberry had lost feeling in his fingers and toes by the time rescue workers found him Tuesday morning. But his father, who said his son was experiencing "frost nip," said feeling was returning to his son's fingers, and doctors expected the same for his toes. Kent Auberry said his son was even cracking a few jokes. "Just the difference between yesterday and today, Michael is coming back to us," Auberry said. "This was a pretty traumatic experience for him. He felt alone as he could feel, and thought, 'I have screwed up.'" Michael wandered away from his campsite Saturday, setting off an intensive search involving dogs, heat-seeking aircraft and dozens of park rangers and volunteers.
Abortion legislation movesforward in South Carolina
COLUMBIA, S.C. -- With calls of emotional blackmail from opponents, a measure requiring women seeking abortions to first review ultrasound images of their fetuses advanced Wednesday in the South Carolina Legislature. The legislation passed 91-23 after lawmakers defeated amendments exempting rape or incest. The House must approve the bill again in a routine vote before it goes to the Senate, where its sponsor expects it to pass with those exemptions. Some states make ultrasound images available to women before an abortion, but South Carolina would be alone in requiring women to view the pictures. Critics consider the proposal a tool to intimidate women who already have made an agonizing decision.
Top leader warns that Iranwould take 'illegal actions'
TEHRAN, Iran -- Iran's top leader warned Wednesday that his country will pursue "illegal actions" if the U.N. Security Council insists it halt uranium enrichment, an apparent reference to nuclear activities outside international regulations. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also warned the United States that Iran would fight back with "all its capacities" if attacked. "Until today, what we have done has been in accordance with international regulations," Khamenei said. "But if they take illegal actions, we too can take illegal actions and will do so." He did not elaborate on what the "illegal actions" could be, but Iran is a signatory to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, the agreement under which the U.N. inspections are held. Iran says it will never give up its right under the treaty to enrich uranium and produce nuclear fuel.
Associated Press