The new information shows that TASER-related deaths have occurred in 25 states and Canada, and the number of deaths has increased by 94 percent since June 2001.In the first three months of 2005, there have already been twice as many TASER-related deaths (13) as there were during the same period in 2004 (six) -Common Dreams

"We are lighting the fuse to a grass-roots grass fire using the Constitution, the First Amendment, and Martin Luther King's philosophy to pursue our objective in a peaceful, rational way," says James Gilchrist, a former marine and cofounder of the so-called Minuteman Project."This is just the beginning." -Christian Science Monitor

The era of the trust-me CEO took another bullet last week, when American International Group(AIG) fessed up to improper bookkeeping in a deal with a unit of Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway.AIG severed ties with its iconic former CEO Maurice (Hank) Greenberg.But it is Greenberg's link to the even more lionized Buffett that's causing the biggest stir -Time

Just before Congress returned from a two-week recess, President Bush on Friday night used his recess-appointment power to thwart an effort by Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.) to stall the work of a military base-closing commission.When Congress is out of session, a president can use that power to sidestep the need for Senate confirmation by appointing officials who can perform their duties until the end of that Congress. The White House made the announcement at 7:27 p.m. Friday, ahead of the Senate's return at midday Monday -Washington Post

Hostility to the European Union constitution is hardening in France, despite increasingly desperate attempts by government and opposition leaders to rescue the collapsing "yes" vote before the referendum next month.An opinion poll published yesterday showed that 55 per cent of French voters who had reached a decision were likely to reject the proposed new EU treaty in the vote on 29 May -Independent UK

Sir Mark Thatcher has been refused a visa to live in the United States following his conviction for involvement in the failed coup attempt in Equatorial Guinea.Sir Mark, the son of Baroness Thatcher, the former prime minister, had intended to join his wife and their two children in the US after being given a four-year suspended jail sentence and fine at his trial in January -Independent UK

Volunteers for an effort to patrol the Mexican border reported their first sighting of suspected illegal immigrants, resulting in 18 arrests, authorities said Sunday.Participants in the Minuteman Project spotted the migrants Saturday near Naco as the volunteers were surveying the border to familiarize themselves with area. When agents arrived, they apprehended 18 people, Border Patrol spokesman Andy Adame said

Insurgents detonated car bombs and fired rocket propelled grenades at the Abu Ghraib prison, injuring 44 U.S. forces after a period of declining attacks that had raised hopes the insurgency might be weakening. Lawmakers cast votes for parliament speaker Sunday in a session aimed at ending a deadlock.