Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!americast.com!usa-post Newsgroups: usa-today.news From: usa-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: usa-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: news Tue, Mar 17 1992 Date: Tue, 17 Mar 92 05:44:53 EST Message-ID: DECISIONLINE: News USA TODAY Update March 17, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network BANK SCANDAL BRINGS PROBE: Federal authorities have opened a criminal probe into the House banking scandal that could further complicate the future of some House members. And the White House is probing possible involvement of five Cabinet members who have served in Congress. Counselor C. Boyden Gray asked the five to check their records. President Bush's campaign manager said the scandal "might" reach the Cabinet. CLINTON COULD STAKE CLAIM: Bill Clinton could stake his claim as the front-runner in the Democratic presidential race with primary wins Tuesday in Illinois and Michigan. But both Paul Tsongas and Jerry Brown say the Arkansas governor is unelectable. The question at the convention will be, "Who can beat George Bush?" Tsongas said. "I am the answer," he said. Clinton's wins have all been in the South. BUCHWALD WINS MOVIE FIGHT: Art Buchwald Monday won $150,000 in his three-year battle to gain credit for the idea for the 1988 comedy film "Coming to America." Buchwald partner Alain Bernheim got $750,000. The pair wanted $6.2 million. Legal fees, taken on contingency, topped $2.5 million. An earlier ruling said Paramount used an unfair formula to deny the two "net profit" royalties. `ALL OPTIONS OPEN' ON IRAQ: President Bush said Monday that "all options are open" to force Iraq to destroy its weapons of mass destruction as demanded by the United Nations. But regarding the aircraft carrier America's recent move into the Persian Gulf, Bush said, "I wouldn't read too much into" it. Bush also accused Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz of using delay tactics during a U.N. appearance last week. UKRAINE TO TRANSFER WEAPONS: The State Department said Monday that after a weekend meeting in Kiev with Ukrainian officials it was reassured that the republic is committed to its pledge to complete the transfer of tactical nuclear weapons to Russia by the end of June. The department also played down reports that two or three nuclear weapons from Kazakhstan may have been transferred to Iran. DUNHAM CONTINUES PROTEST FAST: Dance legend Katherine Dunham, 82, declined Monday a personal plea from Haitian president-in-exile Jean-Bertrand Aristide to end a life-threatening six-week fast protesting U.S. policy toward Haiti's boat people. Talk-show host Jesse Jackson and activist Dick Gregory joined Aristide for the bedside meeting. Against medical advice, Dunham has subsisted on juice and glucose since Feb. 1. BAKER, ARENS TO MEET ON HOUSING: Congress, the White House and the State Department make one last attempt Tuesday to compromise on Israel's request for $10 billion in housing loan guarantees. Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., meets President Bush, and Secretary of State James Baker hosts Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Arens, in what may be a doomed effort to rescue aid for settlements for Jews from the former Soviet Union. GAYS CAN BE BARRED FROM PARADE: Sponsors of Tuesday's St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York can bar Irish Lesbian and Gay Organization members from marching, a federal judge ruled Monday. The parade is private, although police and other public resources support it. To protest the exclusion of gay activists, Mayor David Dinkins and several council members will not participate in the 231st annual march. NORIEGA TRIAL NEARS END: Final arguments in the six-month federal drug and racketeering trial of Manuel Noriega begin Monday and the jury could start deliberations Wednesday. The deposed Panamanian dictator, who surrendered after the U.S. invasion in 1989, "is in good spirits and has a good attitude," said his lawyer, Jon May. Only one of six alternate jurors is left. CASTRATION NOT AN OPTION: A Houston judge Monday said child molester Steven Butler no longer can have the option of being castrated instead of standing trail on charges of raping a 13-year-old girl. Judge Michael McSpadden was told no physician would perform the surgery. He said two doctors initially agreed, but withdrew due to the controversy. Butler, 28, is on probation for molesting a 7-year-old girl. STORM IS HEADED FOR TEXAS: A shower-producing storm will develop over the Texas panhandle Tuesday. Showers and mountain snow will dampen the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies. Possible thunderstorms may rumble through the regions. Sunshine will prevail throughout the Southeast. DOW JONES OPENS ON UPSWING: The Dow Jones average of 30 industrials opens Tuesday at 3236.36, after closing up 0.45 Monday. The New York Stock Exchange composite opens at 224.44, up 0.14. The American Stock Exchange market value opens at 402.88, down 1.18. The NASDAQ OTC composite opens at 617.94, down 0.68. News Editor: Beth Mann. (919-855-3491) Making copies of USA TODAY Update (Copyright, 1992) for further distribution violates federal law. This article is copyright 1992 Gannett News Service. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM