Forces open offensive against al-Qaida in Iraq

Forces open offensive
against al-Qaida in Iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The U.S. military launched a countrywide offensive Tuesday against al-Qaida in Iraq’s efforts to regroup and intensify suicide strikes on civilians who have sided with the Americans against the terror group.

But the latest U.S. blitz brings more than just firepower to the field — a determination to speed up work on basic services and other civic projects that commanders believe will win more converts to the American effort.

The No. 2 U.S. commander, Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno, announced the new operation — named Phantom Phoenix — and took pains to say it would focus on bettering Iraqi lives as well as on attacks against al-Qaida.

“The nonlethal aspects of this operation are designed to improve delivery of essential services, economic development and local governance capacity,” the military statement said.

Town proposes ban
on swearing in bars

ST. CHARLES, Mo. — What the ...? A St. Louis-area town is considering a bill that would ban swearing in bars, along with table-dancing, drinking contests and profane music.

City officials contend the bill is needed to keep rowdy crowds under control because the historic downtown area gets a little too lively on some nights.

City Councilman Richard Veit said he was prompted to propose the bill after complaints about bad bar behavior. He says it will give police some rules to enforce when things get too rowdy.

But some bar owners worry the bill is too vague and restrictive, saying it may be a violation of their civil rights.

Marc Rousseau, who owns bar R.T. Weilers, said he thinks the bill needs revision.

“We’re dealing with adults here once again, and I don’t think it’s the city’s job or the government’s job to determine what we can and cannot play in our restaurant,” Rousseau said.

Boy Scout thwarts
assassination attempt

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — A quick-thinking Boy Scout foiled an assassination attempt on the president of the Maldives on Tuesday, grabbing an attacker’s knife as the man leapt from a crowd and lunged at the leader, an official said.

President Maumoon Gayoom was unhurt, but his shirt was ripped as the attacker tried a second time to stab him before being overpowered by security guards, government spokesman Mohammed Shareef said.

“One brave boy saved the president’s life,” he said.

Mohammed Jaisham Ibrahim, wearing his blue Maldives scout uniform with a blue kerchief, was standing in the crowd to greet Gayoom on Hoarafushi, one of the 1,190 coral islands in the Indian Ocean that make up the Maldives.

The attacker hid a knife in the Maldivian flag as he awaited Gayoom’s arrival, then lunged at the president, Shareef said.

Ibrahim reached out and grabbed the blade, and he was cut on the hand, according to the government.

Bush signs gun-control bill

WASHINGTON — President Bush signed the nation’s first new gun-control legislation in 14 years Tuesday to help keep guns out of the hands of the dangerously mentally ill, and Rep. Carolyn McCarthy immediately announced she would take her crusade to the next step. This time, the New York Democrat and others want to close the so-called “gun show loophole” that allows some dealers to sell firearms without background checks.

The law will earmark up to $250 million a year to states and state courts to automate records on mentally ill people and forward the information to the FBI for inclusion in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.

Snowboarders rescued

SANTA FE, N.M. — Two snowboarders lost in the mountains were rescued by helicopter Tuesday after they endured three frigid nights holed up in snow caves that are credited with saving their lives.

Adam Putnam, 36, an emergency room physician and an experienced winter camper, and his fiancée, Rachel Fehl, 30, a nurse, suffered some cold toes and mild dehydration but were otherwise OK. The pair spent a couple of hours at St. Vincent Regional Medical Center on Tuesday after a National Guard helicopter plucked them from a ridge where they had stomped SOS in the deep snow.

After two days of severe weather that kept the search on the ground, Tuesday’s clear and sunny skies allowed helicopters to look for the pair.

Combined dispatches