U.S. Briefs

October 30, 1995
Web posted at: 1:05 a.m. EST

Kevorkian, others, to write guidelines for assisted suicide

SOUTHFIELD, Michigan (CNN) -- Five doctors and a psychologist have formed a group, called Physicians for Mercy, with Dr. Jack Kevorkian to write guidelines for doctors to help patients commit suicide.

The group said it will create "guidelines and protocols for merciful, dignified, medically assisted termination of life." The doctors plan to work independently of established medical groups.

Kevorkian, 67, has acknowledged being present at 25 deaths since 1990. He is awaiting trial in two 1993 deaths and also is charged with assisted suicide in two 1991 deaths.

Legislation may help 'Habitat for Humanity'

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The House approved legislation Monday that would provide $25 million to Habitat for Humanity. The Georgia-based organization has built 35,000 low-cost homes in the United States and abroad using volunteer labor.

The legislation, if it becomes law, would be the first federal assistance for the group. Among the high-profile participants and supporters of Habitat are Former President Jimmy Carter and House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

Thousands volunteers to protect Detroit from fires

DETROIT, Michigan (CNN) -- About 25,0000 volunteers patrolled the streets Monday to protect the city against the destructive Devil's Night tradition. Vacant buildings were torn down so they couldn't be set ablaze.

The night before Halloween has for years been celebrated as Devil's Night in Detroit, a night of arson fires in trash piles and houses. Devil's Night fires peaked at 297 in 1985.

U.S. reportedly plans more international spying

WASHINGTON (CNN) - The Clinton administration plans to expand U.S. spying operations abroad and the Defense Department has merged the covert intelligence operations of its individual military branches in preparation, Monday's Washington Post reported.

Clinton administration and congressional sources say the consolidation move was partly a result of congressional pressure on the military and the Central Intelligence Agency to boost their efforts against terrorism and weapons proliferation, the newspaper reported.

Some administration officials and lawmakers reportedly are questioning whether the United States needs hundreds of undercover operatives from different agencies on an international level.

The CIA has 4,500 people in its operations division. Of those, 900 are covert operatives.

Elizabeth Dole says she would work full-time as first lady

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- American Red Cross President Elizabeth Dole says she would work full-time if her husband, Sen. Bob Dole, is elected president. She would become the first first lady to do so.

Mrs. Dole is taking a one-year unpaid leave from her $200,000 job to help her husband campaign for the Republican nomination for president.

But she told USA Today, in a story published in Monday's editions, she intends to reclaim that job if her husband is elected. "You want to make certain you can do both roles and I'm very confident I can," she told the newspaper.

USA Today reported the Red Cross Board of Governors approved the leave Sunday, and it takes effect this week.

Shuttle astronauts conduct more experiments

SPACE CENTER, Houston -- Laboratory experiments on protein crystals, water drops and space-grown potato plants kept the crew of the space shuttle Columbia busy on Monday, its 11th day of scientific work. The experiments are designed to help develop better semiconductors for computers, better drugs and cheaper ways to refine oil.

The seven astronauts are now in the second half of their 16-day mission, one of the longest shuttle flights ever.

On Sunday, Columbia's commander, Kenneth Bowersox, turned the shuttle's belly toward to help maintain pressure in its four main landing gear tires by warming them up. Three more tire-warming sessions are planned before the shuttle's return to Florida next Sunday.