CNN - News Briefs - Mar. 4, 1996

News Briefs

March 4, 1996
Web posted at: 1:00 a.m. EST

Restructuring of spy operations proposed

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The House Intelligence Committee released a plan Monday for revamping U.S. intelligence operations.

Under the plan, the CIA's spying operations would become a separate organization -- reporting directly to the CIA director. The National Security Agency, which eavesdrops on global communications and the National Reconnaissance Agency which runs spy satellites would be merged into a single agency.

The plan, designed to streamline bureaucracy and increase the credibility of U.S. spy operations, is likely to meet with resistance from those who favor the current system.

Jury continues deliberations in Menendez case

LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- The jury in the double murder Menendez re-trial deliberated for a second day Monday without reaching a verdict.

This is the second trial of the Menendez brothers -- Lyle and Erik -- who admitted shooting their wealthy parents to death in 1989. They maintain they killed their parents out of fear for their own lives after years of abuse.

The prosecution contends they were greedy and feared they were cut out of their parent's will. Their first trial that was heard by two juries ended in mistrials in January 1994.

Insurance company turns down Simpson's claim

LOS ANGELES (CNN) - O.J. Simpson's business insurance company has rejected a claim filed by Simpson to pick up his legal expenses in the civil suit filed against him by the families of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman.

Simpson filed the claim in October on the general business liability policy that covers him as an executive in his company, Orenthal Productions.

The former football star has $4 million "on his business policy and a personal rider with a cap of $1 million," said. William Shaffer, a spokesman for Chicago-based insurer CNA Financial Corp. Both policies cover Simpson only for business matters, he said.

The Los Angeles Times reported in January that most of Simpson's expenses in the wrongful death lawsuit are being paid by the underwriter of his homeowner's insurance policy.

Kevorkian compares his role to that of executioner

PONTIAC, Michigan (CNN) -- Dr. Jack Kevorkian will undergo more cross examination Tuesday in his assisted-suicide trial. He is accused of assisting the 1993 suicide deaths of an elderly Ann Arbor woman and a suburban Chicago doctor.

Kevorkian testified that each of the victims filled out a form requesting help in ending their lives, called a "Request for Medicide".

He said he doesn't want people to die, but feels duty bound as a physician to help them with their written wishes. He said it's similar to an executioner who doesn't want to kill someone but has a duty to carry out the execution.

As the prosecution began its cross examination, Kevorkian's attorney told reporters he was worried his client might lose his cool if he was pushed too hard on cross-examination.

Group wants supermarkets to come back to poor urban areas

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- An urban advocacy group is encouraging supermarkets to come back to the cities.

With a little ingenuity, Public Voice for Food and Health Policy said, supermarkets can turn a profit in poorer, urban areas. It highlighted the successful efforts of some stores which have set up door-to-door shuttle services and hired security guards who double as "greeters."

Public Voice also called for food empowerment zones in which stores setting up in urban areas would qualify for grants and tax advantages and low-interest loans. A Public Voice study last year found there are 30 percent fewer supermarkets in low income neighborhoods than high-income ones.

Katharine Hepburn recuperating from pneumonia

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Actress Katharine Hepburn was hospitalized last week with pneumonia and is resting at her Connecticut home, the New York Daily News reported Monday.

Hepburn, 88, was admitted to Manhattan's Lenox Hill Hospital last week under an assumed name, the newspaper said.

Hospital sources told the Daily News she was very ill and that her doctors at one point had not expected her to live. She has since been discharged -- it was not clear when. Family members said she was resting comfortably at home.

Hepburn, a major screen star since the 1930s, has had various health problems in the past decade. She had hip replacement surgery and has suffered from arthritis, Parkinson's disease and an incurable eye infection.

Katharine Hepburn (photo)
Stars turn down roles that became hits for others
Nothing odd about eccentrics

Residents evacuated after tanker explodes

WEYAUWEGA, Wisconsin (CNN) -- All 1,600 residents of Weyauwega in central Wisconsin were evacuated Monday after 35 cars of a freight train derailed and a tanker carrying propane exploded. Nearby buildings caught fire.

Also evacuated were 200 people at the Weyauwega Health Care Center and Lakeview Manor nursing homes just outside Weyauwega. No injuries were reported.

Seventeen of the derailed cars were carrying hazardous materials, said a spokesman for the Wisconsin Central rail line.

A feed mill operated by the Wolf River Coop was destroyed by fire, but the blaze was controlled and didn't spread to the farm co-operative's gasoline station or fertilizer store, authorities said.

The train was en route from Stevens Point to Neenah.

Two House members announce retirement

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Rep. Sam Gibbons, D-Florida, and Rep. Toby Roth, R-Wisconsin, announced Monday that they will retire from Congress after this year.

Gibbons, 76, will have spent 34 years in Congress when his term expires in January. He said he plans to teach, serve on boards and work for President Clinton's re-election. Roth, an 18-year veteran, did not disclose his plans.

Gibbons is the 26th House Democrat to formally decide not to run, compared with 15 Republicans.

Colorful and outspoken, Gibbons has often led Democratic opposition to the GOP's "Contract With America" tax cuts -- arguing that the budget should be balanced first. He has also fought Republican efforts to wring savings from Medicare, the health-care program for the elderly.

Rep. Toby Roth home page
Rep. Toby Roth (official House page)
Rep. Sam Gibbons (official House page)
Gibbons storms out of Medicare talks (Sept. '95)

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