Beyond the Bubble
International News
One police officer was killed and 22 people were wounded when two car bombs exploded near a U.S. diplomat's residence in Karachi, Pakistani, according to police.
The first blast occurred outside the Pakistan-Merican cultural center in downtown Karachi, near the American consul general's residence. Police said one man was injured.
The second explosion followed 25 minutes later just as police, bomb disposal experts, ambulance crews and reporters had gathered to respond to the first explosion.
According to a U.S. State Department official, the staggered manner of the blasts suggested that the bombers attempted to maximize casualties by using the first bomb to draw people to the site before detonating the second one.
The official speculated that while the motive was not clear, the bombers didn't appear to have been targeting the American consul general's residence, which stands about 150 meters from a school and the bombs, and other U.S. facilities.
The U.S. is currently tightening security at its facilities in Karachi.
National News
Al Qaeda intends to launch an attack on the United States in the coming months, according to intelligence obtained from multiple sources, U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft said Wednesday.
"This disturbing intelligence indicates al Qaeda's specific intention to hit the United States hard," Ashcroft announced in a news conference. "Beyond this intelligence, al Qaeda's own public statements indicate that it is almost ready to attack the United States."
Ashcroft said that after the March 11 train bombings in Madrid, Spain, an al Qaeda spokesman announced that preparations for attack on the U.S were 90 percent complete.
According to Ashcroft, a number of upcoming events are possible targets, including the Group of Eight economic summit on Sea Island, Georgia, and the Democratic and Republican national conventions.
He also warned that "the face of al Qaeda may be changing." Ashcroft said the group adapts quickly to new security measures and may be recruiting operatives in their late 20s or early 30s and "may travel with families to lower their profile."
College News
University of Colorado President Betsy Hoffman, plans to reinstate suspended football coach Gary Barnett, the Rocky Mountain News reported Wednesday.
Michele Ames, CU spokeswoman, said she could neither confirm nor deny the report, saying that no announcement was planned. Barnett's attorney declined comment. The coach has an unlisted phone number.
Hoffman placed Barnett on paid administrative leave Feb. 18 after comments he made about some of the nine women who have alleged that they were sexually assaulted by CU football players or recruits since 1997.
One of the women was former Buffaloes place-kicker Katie Hnida, who told Sports Illustrated she was sexually assaulted by a teammate in 2000.
In answering questions from reporters after the story appeared, Barnett said Hnida was a "terrible" player. Hnida now attends the University of New Mexico.
His remarks came as the university faced lawsuits from three women who allege they were sexually assaulted.
Last week, the investigating commission concluded that sex and alcohol were used in recruiting but that there was no evidence that CU officials "knowingly sanctioned" them. The report criticized Barnett and Hoffman for lax oversight and slow reactions to recruiting problems.
Entertainment
Snoop Dogg has filed for divorce from Shante Broadus, according to papers filed with Los Angeles Superior Court.
They have been married since 1997 and have three children: Corde, 9; Cordell, 7; and Cori, 4. The rapper/actor is seeking joint custody.
Snoop, born Calvin Broadus, cited general "irreconcilable differences" for the breakup in the papers filed with the court on Friday.
"The only thing I want to say is Mr. Broadus hopes that the divorce can be as amicable as possible," Snoop's attorney, Robert Nachshin, told The Associated Press on Monday.
Snoop, 32, co-stars in the new movie "Soul Plane," which opens Friday. He also has appeared in the movies "Baby Boy" and "Starsky and Hutch," starred in MTV's "Doggy Fizzle Televizzle" comedy show.
â€" Compiled by Liz Weeker