FBI seeks review of anthrax case

The FBI will ask a group of independent scientists to review evidence from the government's anthrax investigation that concluded an Army researcher masterminded the deadly 2001 biological attacks. The FBI and National Academy of Sciences have been discussing whether to do an independent review, likely costing taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars, of the DNA analysis that led investigators to Dr. Bruce Ivins. Yesterday, FBI Director Robert Mueller said he will request the review. Ivins, a scientist at the Army's biodefense lab at Fort Detrick, Md., killed himself in July as prosecutors prepared to indict him for murder in the letter attacks, which killed five people. (AP).

WASHINGTON - Alaska Senator Ted Stevens has lost a final attempt to get his upcoming corruption trial thrown out. US District Judge Emmet Sullivan ruled that the trial will start next week, with the jury selection beginning on Monday. Stevens, a Republican, is charged with lying on Senate records about gifts and home renovations from VECO Corp., an oil pipeline services company. Stevens, who is running for reelection, has pleaded not guilty and wants the trial finished by Election Day. Stevens's lawyers argued that the case is based on information related to his work as an Alaska senator. They also said the government wants to introduce evidence, requiring Stevens to talk about his official work to defend himself. (AP)

SACRAMENTO - A new poll shows Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's popularity dropping, but most voters don't support a prison guard union's attempt to recall him. The Field Poll released yesterday finds that 69 percent of California voters oppose recalling the governor. Twenty-nine percent support the recall effort by the state prison guards' union if it qualifies for a special election ballot. The poll found just 38 percent of respondents approved of Schwarzenegger's performance. The California Correctional Peace Officers Association last week filed a notice with the secretary of state seeking to start a recall drive against the governor. (AP)

NEW YORK - Eight stolen scrolls of Hebrew Scriptures have been returned to a New York City synagogue in time for the Rosh Hashana holiday that begins at sundown Sept. 29. The Torah scrolls, valued at around $500,000, were taken in August from the Jewish Center of Kew Gardens Hills in Queens. Police recovered them Sept. 4. A maintenance worker and a suspected accomplice have been charged with criminal possession of stolen property. (AP)