WEST

ACCUSER’S SISTER TESTIFIES IN JACKSON TRIAL

SANTA MARIA, Calif. – The teenage sister of Michael Jackson’s accuser told jurors yesterday about a series of unusual events that unfolded around the time of the alleged abuse, including a sudden trip in which the family was whisked away to Miami on a private jet.

The sister also described a drinking party with Mr. Jackson, changes in her brother’s behavior, and claims of death threats against her family. The testimony was elicited to support allegations the singer conspired to hold the accuser’s family captive and get them to rebut a February 2003 documentary in which Mr. Jackson said he allowed boys to sleep in his bed. The Miami trip occurred as the program was about to air.

The sister did not mention witnessing any molestation of her brother, a cancer survivor. She was to continue testifying today.

Earlier, she testified that on the flight back from Miami, Mr. Jackson shared a soda can with her brother, and also gave him a watch and a jacket decorated with sparkles.

Prosecutors allege the boy was molested twice by Mr. Jackson after the program aired. They contend Mr. Jackson gave the boy wine in the soda can and the gifts as bribes to keep quiet about the alcohol.The 18-year-old sister also said the family was introduced to such stars as actor Chris Tucker and NBA star Kobe Bryant.

Mr. Jackson’s defense has portrayed the family as being motivated by greed in its pursuit of celebrities.

– Associated Press

ESCAPED CHIMPS ATTACK TWO AT ANIMAL SANCTUARY

CALIENTE, Calif. – Several chimpanzees broke from their cages at an animal sanctuary yesterday and attacked two visitors, seriously injuring them, authorities said. Sanctuary workers shot and killed two of the powerful animals.

Officials did not immediately release the names of the victims, but a television station reported that they were a couple who were visiting another chimpanzee that had been removed from their home years earlier for his own aggressive behavior.

KGET-TV of Bakersfield identified the victims as St. James Davis and his wife, LaDonna Davis, who were at the sanctuary to celebrate the birthday of Moe, who was taken from their suburban Los Angeles home in 1999 after biting off part of a woman’s finger. Moe was not involved in yesterday’s attack, said state Department of Fish and Game spokesman Steven Martarano.

The Davises reportedly brought Moe a cake, but two other chimpanzees named Buddy and Ollie attacked Mr. Davis, KGET reported, quoting local animal control authorities.

Dr. Maureen Martin, of Kern Medical Center, told the television station that the monkeys chewed off most of Mr. Davis’s face and that he would require extensive surgery in an attempt to reattach his nose. He was transported to Loma Linda Medical Center University, she said. Ms. Davis suffered a bite wound to the hand, Dr. Martin said.

– Associated Press

WASHINGTON

HOUSE VOTES FOR SPECIAL ELECTIONS IN EVENT OF CATASTROPHE

More than 1,000 days after the September 11, 2001, attacks, the House made another attempt yesterday to prepare for a catastrophic event that kills more than 100 of its members.

The House, with a 329-68 vote, said states must hold special elections within 49 days of an announcement by the speaker that there are more than 100 vacancies in the 435-member body. A similar bill died in the Senate last year after House passage.

There was broad agreement over the need to take steps so Congress could recover and continue functioning after a cataclysmic attack, although some lawmakers said the special election approach would cause a legislative vacuum of weeks during a national crisis.

Last year, the House rejected a proposed constitutional amendment that would have allowed the House, like the Senate, to temporarily fill vacancies through appointments during exceptional circumstances.

– Associated Press

SENATE VOTES TO KEEP CANADIAN CATTLE OUT OF U.S.

The Senate voted yesterday to overturn the Bush administration’s decision to allow Canadian cattle into the country nearly two years after they were banned because of mad cow disease.

The White House said President Bush would veto the measure if it ever reached his desk, warning that continuing to refuse Canadian beef would damage efforts to persuade other countries to buy American beef.

Supporters fell short of the two-thirds majority needed to override a veto. The Senate’s 52-46 vote was to reject the Agriculture Department’s decision to resume imports of Canadian cows under 30 months of age beginning next week. A similar measure has been introduced in the House, but a vote had yet to be scheduled.

Agriculture officials had planned to reopen the border next Monday. However, a federal judge on Wednesday granted a temporary injunction sought by Western ranchers seeking to keep the ban in place.

– Associated Press

HEALTH

CDC: THIS FLU SEASON LESS SEVERE THAN LAST YEAR

ATLANTA – After all the panic last fall over the vaccine shortage, the flu season is turning out to be milder than last year’s severe bout, but it may not have peaked yet, the government said yesterday.

“It doesn’t look like it’s as severe as last year, but it’s too early to tell,” said Lynnette Brammer of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s influenza branch.

Last year, flu cases started early and rapidly hit a high point in December, clogging emergency rooms with flu sufferers. By the end of that season, 153 children had died from the flu. So far this season, nine children have died from the flu.

Flu cases this season did not really start to increase until the end of December. As of February 19, the latest data available, all 50 states have had at least one lab confirmed flu case and 33 states have had widespread flu activity. The outbreak could peak within the next two weeks, which would be somewhat later than usual, the CDC said. The season most often hits its peak in February.

– Associated Press