WASHINGTON

ACLU: IRAQ PRISON PHOTOS TO BE RELEASED

The federal government has agreed to release disputed pictures showing American soldiers tormenting Iraqi detainees at Abu Ghraib prison, the American Civil Liberties Union said yesterday.

Erica Pelletreau, a spokeswoman for the ACLU, said the pictures would be released within a week if a federal judge approves the deal.

Judge Alvin Hellerstein had ordered the release of the pictures from the infamous Baghdad prison over complaints by government lawyers, who complained that doing so would incite violence against American troops in Iraq and provoke terrorists.

– Associated Press

DEMOCRATIC SENATORS VOW TO BLOCK FDA NOMINEE

Two Democratic senators said yesterday they will not stop blocking President Bush’s nominee to lead the Food and Drug Administration until the agency decides whether the emergency contraceptive Plan B can go on sale without a prescription.

Senators Murray, a Democrat of Washington, and Clinton, a Democrat of New York, told reporters that they met yesterday with Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach but were unable to get a Plan B update.

– Associated Press

NATIONWIDE

POLL: AMERICANS SEE, HEAR MORE PROFANITY

Nearly three-quarters of Americans questioned last week (74%) said they encounter profanity in public frequently or occasionally, according to an Associated Press-Ipsos poll. Two-thirds said they think people swear more than they did 20 years ago. And as for, well, the gold standard of foul words, a healthy 64% said they use the F-word – ranging from several times a day (8%) to a few times a year (15%). The AP-Ipsos poll showed that 62% of 18 to 34-year-olds acknowledged swearing in conversation at least a few times a week, compared to 39 percent of those 35 and older.

– Associated Press