Bush plans visit to 9/11 memorial

President Bush, facing criticism from victims' relatives for using images of the destroyed World Trade Center in campaign ads, will visit a Sept. 11 memorial in New York next week. Bush plans to tour the memorial Thursday in Long Island's Nassau County, one of the city's suburbs, prior to attending a reelection fund-raiser that night in East Meadow, N.Y. Bush's campaign ads with images of the skeletal remains of the trade center and firefighters carrying a flag-draped stretcher angered several relatives, who asked that the ads be pulled from the airwaves. White House spokesman Scott McClellan rejected those calls. (AP)

WASHINGTON, D.C.

Ashcroft remains in intensive care

Attorney General John D. Ashcroft remained hospitalized yesterday in an intensive care unit for treatment of a severe case of gallstone pancreatitis, a serious and painful abdominal illness. Justice Department spokesman Mark Corallo said Ashcroft, 61, was being treated with antibiotics and painkillers. Corallo said there has been no change in his condition. Doctors were still evaluating the attorney general and awaiting results of tests before deciding on their next steps, which could include surgery. (AP)

Sex offenders seen among US troops

There are at least two serial sex offenders among the US troops in the Middle East, an advocacy group has told the Pentagon. The Miles Foundation, a support group for military sexual assault victims, said 83 servicewomen stationed in the Middle East have reported being raped or assaulted in the last 18 months. In at least two cases, multiple victims reported having been attacked by the same soldier, said Christine Hansen, executive director of the Connecticut-based group. The foundation said Friday it has reported the cases to commanders and formal reports have been filed. (AP)

NEW YORK

Crosby arrested on drug, gun charges

NEW YORK -- Musician David Crosby was arrested on marijuana and gun possession charges early yesterday at a Times Square hotel, hours after earning a standing ovation at a New Jersey concert, police said. Crosby, 62, a two-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, was arrested at 1 a.m. at the DoubleTree Suites Hotel with an ounce of marijuana, a .45-caliber handgun, and a knife in his possession, police said. The singer had performed Friday night. (AP)