Nation/world roundup
Alito turns aside Democrats' criticism
WASHINGTON -- Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito turned aside Democratic attacks on his judicial record and credibility at contentious confirmation hearings Wednesday, declaring his impartiality and saying, "If I'm confirmed I'll be myself."
Alito, named to replace Justice Sandra Day O'Connor for a swing seat on the court, was unflappable for hours on end during a second day of marathon questioning.
Bush shrugs off spy program questions
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- After initial reservations, President Bush said Wednesday that he isn't bothered by congressional hearings into his domestic spying program as long as they don't aid the enemy.
"That's good for democracy," Bush said, provided the hearings don't "tell the enemy what we're doing."
In the days after the secret wiretapping without warrants was revealed, Bush cautioned against hearings, saying that congressional leaders had been privately consulted and that he had worked within the law to authorize eavesdropping on Americans with suspected ties to terrorists.
Iran defiant as sanctions from West likely
TEHRAN-- The U.S. and Britain said Wednesday that Western countries will likely seek Iran's referral to the U.N. Security Council after it restarted nuclear activity.
Iran's president said his country would not be bullied and would push ahead with the program. British Prime Minister Tony Blair said he could not rule out the possibility that Iran will face economic sanctions.
Ex-political aide pleads guilty to bribery
ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- A Louisiana congressman demanded bribes in exchange for his help in promoting a pair of business deals in Africa, according to court documents filed Wednesday with a guilty plea by one of the congressman's former staffers.
Brett Pfeffer, 37, a former legislative director to Rep. William Jefferson, D-La., pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting bribery of a public official and conspiracy. He could get 20 years in prison when sentenced March 31.
Doctors aim to wean Sharon from sedatives
JERUSALEM -- With Ariel Sharon's condition gradually improving, doctors hoped Wednesday to completely remove him from sedatives soon -- a process that could take a day and a half - so they can assess what brain damage he suffered from a massive stroke.
New polls indicated Sharon's Kadima Party would easily win March 28 elections and had even gained strength since the popular prime minister fell ill a week ago.
Woman claims she had bomb on board flight
SALT LAKE CITY -- A woman scuffled with flight attendants and another passenger on a United flight Wednesday, then claimed a bomb was on board after the plane was diverted, authorities said.
No bomb was found aboard the aircraft, which left Eugene, Ore., for Denver but was diverted to Salt Lake City, authorities said.
Bogdana Georgieva, 35, threw a passenger into the aisle, began yelling, tried to remove her shirt and threw items at other passengers, court documents said.
The pilot diverted the plane to Salt Lake City. During the landing, Georgieva ran toward the cockpit and was stopped by flight attendants, with whom she got in another scuffle, documents said. Passengers subdued her.
No charges against Schwarzenegger in motorcycle accident
LOS ANGELES -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's weekend motorcycle crash left him with a fat lip and a political black eye, but he won't be charged with a driving violation, officials said Wednesday.
Schwarzenegger was on his Harley-Davidson, with his 12-year-old son in a sidecar, when he collided Sunday with a car on a winding canyon road. Police said he was driving without a license, but the city attorney declined to file any charges after reviewing the accident report.
From wire reports. E-mail news@thesantaclara.com.