News Digest August 15-21

• Share

NATION

And Now, Health Care

Unwearied by his recent daunting budget battle, President Clinton dove straight into what will surely be another long, difficult and tedious legislative fight, this time over a program to improve the nation's health care. In a speech to the National Governors' Association, Clinton outlined his plan to provide coverage for all Americans. Under the program, employers would be required to provide health insurance for every worker at a cost that could range from 3.5% to 7% of a payroll.

U.S. Troops, U.N. Chiefs

In a move to expand Americans' role in United Nations peacekeeping operations, President Clinton is considering allowing U.S. troops to serve under foreign U.N. commanders. The directive, backed by the State and Defense departments, would come as the U.N. is undertaking more peacekeeping efforts than at any other time in its history.

Science Fiction

The Defense Department is investigating allegations that the Reagan Administration falsified a crucial test of the Strategic Defense Initiative, the dreamy antimissile defense system that became known as Star Wars. Officials allegedly used the information to deceive both the Soviet Union, which spent billions trying to match SDI's putative success, and Congress, which voted to continue sdi funding right after the test results were announced.

Jordan Murder Suspects Held

Just days after discovering that James Jordan, the father of Michael Jordan, had been murdered, police in Lumberton, North Carolina, arrested two youths in connection with the killing. Larry Martin Demery and Daniel Andre Green, both 18, are charged with robbing and murdering Jordan. Police found the pair by tracing calls they had made on the cellular phone while joyriding in Jordan's Lexus.

Sheik's Deportation Pending

Time was running out last week for radical Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman. A federal judge refused to stay a deportation order for the blind cleric, giving him and his lawyers until the end of this week to file an appeal. The sheik's followers are charged with terrorist plots in New York City, including last February's bombing of the World Trade Center.

True Confession?

Eager to quell speculation about the death of reported CIA agent Fred Woodruff, officials in the Republic of Georgia say he was killed when a soldier, refused a lift, fired once at the car Woodruff was riding in as it passed by.

Abortion Doctor Shot

For the second time this year an antiabortion protester has shot a doctor who performs abortions. Rachelle Renae Shannon, 37, of Grants Pass, Oregon, is accused of wounding Dr. George Tiller in both arms outside his Wichita, Kansas, clinic. Shannon is in custody, but Tiller was back at work the next day.

Bio-Parents Rebuffed

A Florida judge ruled that Kimberly Mays could end all contact with her biological parents, Regina and Ernest Twigg. Kimberly was accidentally switched at birth with another girl whom the Twiggs discovered was not their daughter after she died of a congenital heart defect five years ago. The judge ruled that the Twiggs have "no legal interest in or rights to Kimberly Mays," while deeming Robert Mays, who has raised the girl, to be her "psychological parent."

WORLD

Bosnia Partition Plan