General News Archive - November 29, 2004
KIEV, Ukraine - The crisis over Ukraine's disputed presidential election intensified Sunday, as a key eastern province called a referendum on autonomy and the opposition demanded the current president fire his prime minister, the official winner of last week's vote that has bitterly divided this former Soviet republic.
DENVER - A charter plane carrying NBC Sports Chairman Dick Ebersol crashed and burst into flames during takeoff from a southwest Colorado airport Sunday, killing at least two people and seriously injuring Ebersol and one of his sons. Rescue crews were searching for another son.
VIENNA, Austria - Just a day before an international deadline, Iran agreed Sunday not to test any centrifuges as part of a total suspension of nuclear activities that can yield uranium for atomic weapons. Diplomats described the about-face as an effort to avoid possible U.N. sanctions.
BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraq's most feared terror group claimed responsibility Sunday for slaughtering members of the Iraqi security forces in Mosul, where dozens of bodies have been found. The claim raises fears the terror group has expanded to the north after the loss of its purported base in Fallujah.
NEW YORK - The holiday shopping season began with a solid show of spending on Friday, but consumers faded by the weekend's close and many retailers were facing decent but hardly impressive sales. Big chains including J.C. Penney Co. Inc. and Sears, Roebuck and Co. were pleased with their sales.
WASHINGTON - The fate of an overhaul of U.S. intelligence agencies rests with President Bush, who must exert more pressure on holdout Republicans if he wants compromise legislation to pass this year, a lead Senate negotiator said Sunday.
BEIJING - Toxic gas hampered the search for 141 trapped coal miners Monday following an explosion in central China, and an official said their chances of survival were "extremely slight." At least 25 people were confirmed dead.
LOS ANGELES - It's a girl - and a boy - for actress Julia Roberts and her husband, cinematographer Danny Moder. Roberts gave birth to twins Hazel Patricia Moder and Phinnaeus Walter Moder on Sunday morning at a Southern California hospital, publicist Marcy Engelman said Sunday.
Democrats and Republicans are urging President Bush to press holdout GOP lawmakers to get compromise legislation overhauling U.S. intelligence agencies passed this year. "I would challenge the president now," said Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif. "He says he has political capital.
VIENNA, Austria - Iran agreed not to test any centrifuges as part of a total suspension of nuclear activities that can yield weapons-grade uranium, clearing the way for the U.N. nuclear agency to bring an end to a dispute that had threatened to go all the way to the U.N. Security Council.
