Clinton Outlines Domestic Agenda
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Turning from war in the Balkans to battles in Congress, President Clinton today urged Republican lawmakers to ``keep pushing forward on our challenges at home.'' In a news conference, his first since March 19, and a speech at Georgetown University, the president called for action on Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, education, child care and campaign finance. ``We will be judged on what we do with this opportunity, whether we seize it or squander it,'' Clinton said.
Clinton Readies Medicare Drug Plan
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The White House is floating a Medicare prescription benefit that could pay roughly half the cost of drugs up to a limit of perhaps $3,000 to $5,000 a year, in return for higher premiums paid by beneficiaries, officials said today. Prescription drugs are the ``greatest growing need'' of senior citizens, President Clinton said at a speech today at Georgetown University. The president said that next week he will unveil his long-anticipated plan to offer retirees government assistance paying for prescriptions.
Ethnic Violence Remains in Kosovo
PRISTINA, Yugoslavia (AP) -- Both sides of Kosovo's ethnic divide ignored NATO pleas for restraint today as revenge attacks prompted more Serbs to flee the province and ethnic Albanian refugees flooded home in numbers that startled aid officials. About 48,000 ethnic Albanians returned yesterday, a spokeswoman for the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, with 300,000 the number who have streamed back into the province in the past 10 days. Panicky Serbs are fleeing the province, accusing ethnic Albanians of forcing them out. There were 14 killings in Pristina yesterday, NATO spokesmen said. There was no immediate breakdown on victims, but most incidents were connected to ethnic tensions, they said.
Israeli Strikes Black Out Beirut
BEIRUT, Lebanon (AP) -- Hopes for peace in the Middle East are looking dimmer after Israeli jets bombed Lebanese power stations and bridges late last night and early today in Israel's strongest attacks in three years. Outgoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the airstrikes and only informed his successor, Ehud Barak, once the planes were already en route to their targets. Barak has pledged to withdraw Israeli troops from Lebanon within a year. The attacks have killed nine Lebanese and two Israelis. Israel and the Shiite Muslim Hezbollah guerrillas they have been battling in southern Lebanon have held their fire most of today since the bombing ended.
House OKs Aid for Aging Foster Kids
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The House voted today to double federal spending on ``independent living'' programs for aging foster children who now are dropped from state care at age 18. The legislation, which still requires Senate approval, also would permit states to continue Medicaid coverage for these youngsters through the age of 21. House lawmakers voted 380-6 in favor of the bill, which also has the Clinton administration's backing.
Jury Convicts `Sleepwalking' Husband
PHOENIX (AP) -- A man who claimed he was sleepwalking when he stabbed his wife 44 times and held her head under water was convicted today of first-degree murder. Scott Falater stared straight ahead and did not react as the verdict was read in a Maricopa County Superior Court. Prosecutors have said they will seek the death penalty. Falater admitted to stabbing his wife, dragging her body to the backyard swimming pool and holding her head under water, but claimed he had no memory of the events.
Germans Approve Holocaust Memorial
BERLIN (AP) -- Germany's parliament approved the building of a national Holocaust memorial in Berlin today and selected a design by New York architect Peter Eisenman envisioning a field of tombstone-like pillars. After nearly a decade of indecision over how to remember the 6 million Jews killed by the Nazis, the decision is a crucial step toward realizing the project. Construction is expected to begin in early 2000.
Stocks Mixed; Dow Ends 17.73 Higher
NEW YORK (AP) -- Stock prices were mixed today as investor optimism about second-quarter earnings gave way to nagging concerns about interest rates. The Dow Jones industrial average ended up 17.73 at 10,552.56 after having risen more than 115 points earlier in the session. Advancing issues on the New York Stock Exchange led decliners 1,491-1,456. The Nasdaq was down 1.34 at 2,552.65.
Haskins To Leave Minn. Coaching Job
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Clem Haskins, under pressure from allegations of academic fraud in the University of Minnesota basketball program, agreed today to a $1.5 million buyout, the university announced. Haskins will step down June 30. Haskins' contract had been scheduled to run through June 30, 2002. An investigation began after the Saint Paul Pioneer Press reported in March that Jan Gangelhoff, a former office manager in the academic counseling unit, said she did more than 400 pieces of course work for at least 20 basketball players from 1993 to 1998.
AP NewsBrief By BRADLEY BROOKS
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