Treasury fighting a currency redesign

The Bush administration yesterday asked an appeals court to overturn a ruling that would require a redesign of the nation's currency to help the blind. The appeal was filed with the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit by Justice Department lawyers on behalf of Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson. The appeal seeks to overturn a ruling last month by US District Judge James Robertson, who ordered the Treasury to come up with ways for the blind to tell the difference between denominations of paper currency, from printing different size bills to changing the texture with the addition of embossed dots or foil. (AP)

Thirty-three members of Congress have written Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales demanding that the FBI update lawmakers on the investigation into the anthrax attacks five years ago that paralyzed the nation with bio terror fears. The bipartisan letter escalates efforts by Senator Charles E. Grassley, Republican of Iowa, and Representative Rush D. Holt, Democrat of New Jersey, to get the FBI to tell lawmakers what it has learned during the case, which remains unsolved. The FBI has refused, citing concerns about possible leaks. (AP)

Though Americans are increasingly pessimistic about the war in Iraq, the Pentagon said yesterday that it is having success in enlisting new troops. The Navy and Air Force met their recruiting goals last month, while the Army and Marine Corps exceeded theirs, the Defense Department announced. The Army, which is bearing the brunt of the work in Iraq, did the best. It signed up 6,485 new recruits in November compared with its target of 6,150 -- meaning 105 percent of its goal. All the services turned in similar performances in October as well, meaning they so far are meeting their goals for the 2007 budget year, which began Oct. 1. (AP)