Nation/world roundup
Moussaoui gets life for role in Sept. 11
ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- A federal jury rejected the death penalty for al-Qaida conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui on Wednesday and decided he must spend life in prison for his role in the deadliest terrorist attack in U.S. history. After seven days of deliberation, the nine men and three women rebuffed the government's appeal for death for the only person charged in this country in the four suicide jetliner hijackings that killed nearly 3,000 people on Sept. 11, 2001.
Tsunami warning lifted after Tonga quake
NUKU'ALOFA, Tonga -- A magnitude 7.9 earthquake struck early Thursday near the South Pacific nation of Tonga, prompting tsunami warnings for as far away as Fiji and New Zealand. The warning was lifted after a tsunami of less than 2 feet was recorded. There were no reports of injuries from the quake or tsunami, and a Tongan official said a few broken windows were the extent of the damage. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Honolulu lifted its warning for all areas within two hours. It said there was no data indicating that the 4:26 a.m. earthquake generated a giant wave.
Security warning issued to mass transit
WASHINGTON -- U.S. mass transit systems should remain alert against possible terror attacks, the Homeland Security Department said in a new warning that highlighted suspicious activity at unnamed European subway stations last fall. Homeland Security spokesman Russ Knocke said Wednesday there is no specific or credible intelligence to indicate U.S. transit systems are being targeted, and he described the notice, sent Tuesday, as a routine reminder for transit authority operators, state security advisers and police to remain on guard.
Britain, France introduce Iran resolution
UNITED NATIONS -- Britain and France introduced a U.N. Security Council resolution Wednesday that would be legally binding and set the stage for sanctions against Iran if it does not abandon uranium enrichment. Diplomats said they hoped the resolution, backed by the United States but opposed by China and Russia, will be adopted before a meeting of foreign ministers in New York next Monday.
Soda distributors to end most school sales
NEW YORK -- The nation's largest beverage distributors have agreed to halt nearly all sales of sodas to public schools -- a step that will remove the sugary, caloric drinks from vending machines and cafeterias around the country. The agreement was announced Wednesday by the William J. Clinton Foundation and will also likely apply to many private and parochial schools.
Hospital may have exposed 300 patients to HIV
SAN DIEGO -- State health officials are investigating a mishap at Scripps Memorial Hospital that may have exposed nearly 300 obese patients who underwent stomach-reduction surgery to hepatitis or HIV.
Scripps officials said Wednesday the patients had a "very low" risk of infection because a registered nurse had knowingly violated operating room procedures. The female nurse, whose name was not released, failed to fully clean a gastroscope, which is used to retrieve other surgical instruments from the stomach.
The nurse worked at the hospital from September 2004 until last month when she resigned after hospital officials confronted her about the issue.
Libraries devastated by hurricanes to receive grants
CHALMETTE, La. -- School libraries wiped out by hurricanes Katrina and Rita are getting grants worth $500,000 to help them rebuild, along with a rare magazine collection, first lady Laura Bush and media executives announced Wednesday.
Bush, a former librarian and public school teacher, announced the grants at Chalmette High School in St. Bernard Parish, where every building -- including 15 schools -- was flooded.
Seven public and private schools in Louisiana and three in Mississippi will receive the money from the Laura Bush Foundation's Gulf Coast Library Recovery Initiative.
From wire reports. E-mail news@thesantaclara.com.