Oil slick closes 29 miles of river

NEW ORLEANS - A stretch of the Mississippi River at New Orleans could be closed for days as crews clean a 12-mile oil slick caused yesterday when a tanker and barge collided, officials said. Heavy, almost tar-like fuel oil spilled from the barge, closing 29 miles of the river, the Coast Guard said. The barge, with about 419,000 gallons of fuel oil, split in half. Investigators "are assuming the worst-case discharge of all 9,980 barrels," said Lincoln Stroh, Coast Guard captain. Drinking water intake was closed in the area. (Globe wire services)

Syndicated columnist Robert Novak said he has been issued a $50 citation after hitting a pedestrian while driving in downtown Washington. Witnesses say the accident occurred about 10 a.m. yesterday as the 77-year-old Novak was traveling near K Street in his black Chevrolet Corvette. A Fire Department spokesman said the victim was taken to George Washington University hospital with minor injuries. Novak told WJLA-TV he was cited for failing to yield the right of way. He said he didn't realize what happened and continued driving until a bicyclist stopped him. David Bono, the bicyclist, said the pedestrian was hit in a crosswalk and was splayed across Novak's windshield. (AP)

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating a near-collision of airborne planes at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, the third such incident at a major airport this month. The board said the incident took place Monday afternoon as American Eagle Flight 4298 was taking off on a runway and a Learjet was arriving on another. When air traffic controllers realized the jets were about to collide, they ordered the Learjet to abort its landing. The board said the Learjet passed "325 feet above and slightly behind" the other jet. (AP)

HONOLULU - All six crew members aboard a B-52 plane that crashed off Guam were killed, the Air Force said yesterday. A search effort has shifted focus from rescue to recovery of the crew. Two bodies have been found. (AP)