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03-03-2001
AP Top News at 10 p.m. EST

Saturday, March 3, 2001

Napster Still Full of Users

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- While Napster worked today to deploy technology to weed out 1 million song titles, millions of users flooded the site and other servers to trade music record labels say is pirated. Many of Napster's faithful said the company's promise to block access to some music would ostracize those who have become dependent on the Internet for new music. Napster attorney David Boies told a federal judge Friday that the move to block Metallica and Dr. Dre songs and 5,600 other titles would begin some time this weekend.

Argentine Cabinet Asked To Resign

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) -- President Fernando De la Rua asked his entire Cabinet to submit their resignations on today, a day after his economy minister abruptly stepped down, sparking a political crisis. According to a government statement, Chief of Staff Chrystian Colombo ``asked all of the Cabinet levels ministers and secretaries to step down to facilitate a reshuffling of the Cabinet.''

Northeast Gears Up for Snowstorm

NEW YORK (AP)-- Residents of the Northeast checked on their storm supplies today and state agencies went on alert as meteorologists warned of the possibility of a major nor'easter that could pile heavy snow across the region. Winter storm watches were in effect for an area from the Virginias through the New England states, the National Weather Service said. A weather system that was spreading rain and thunderstorms across the Gulf Coast states on Saturday was headed for the North Carolina coast, where it could turn into a major nor'easter tomorrow, the weather service said. The rain could turn to snow beginning tomorrow in Virginia and heavy snow could continue falling into early Wednesday in New England, meteorologists said.

Ecuador Hostages Return To U.S.

MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) -- Four American oil workers held captive in the jungles of Ecuador for nearly five months are reportedly back on U.S. soil. A private jet carrying three of the men, all employees for Erickson Air-Crane, arrived today at the airport in Medford, Ore., where they were quickly whisked away in a corporate vehicle, KDRV-TV reported. The company refused to confirm their arrival.

21 Die in Military Plane Crash

UNADILLA, Ga. (AP) -- A National Guard aircraft en route from Florida to Virginia crashed in heavy rain today, killing all 21 people on board, officials said. Three Army personnel and 18 Air National Guard members were killed when the C-23 Sherpa crashed into a field in central Georgia near Unadilla, about 30 miles south of Macon, said John Birdsong, a spokesman for Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, which had been tracking the flight. Identities of the victims were not immediately released.

Colombia Extraditions May Be Delayed

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) -- The opening of criminal investigations against some high-profile Colombian drug suspects could prevent or delay their extradition to the United States, concerned U.S. officials and legal experts are saying. Colombia's chief prosecutor announced this week that he was probing possible charges against dozens of members of a major cocaine-smuggling ring broken up two years ago in Operation Millennium, a much-publicized U.S. and Colombian sweep.

Fox Aims To Improve Mexico's Energy

MEXICO CITY (AP) -- President Vicente Fox on Saturday repeated pledges to allow more private investment in the country's state-run electricity commission, saying that without it Mexico will be ``almost on its knees'' asking the United States for help. During his meeting last month with President Bush, Fox agreed to work toward a common energy policy for the region stretching from Panama to Canada. Both the United States and Mexico are struggling to meet their growing energy needs.

Bears, Maynard Sign 5-Year Contract

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) -- The Chicago Bears signed punter Brad Maynard to a five-year contract today. Terms of the contract with Maynard, an unrestricted free agent, were not disclosed. Maynard, drafted in the third round by the New York Giants in 1997, had a gross punting average of 40.6 yards last season and a net average of 33.7 yards on a career-low 79 punts. During the Giants' loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XXXV, Maynard set a Super Bowl record with 11 punts.

Lakers Defeat Grizzlies 98-88

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) -- Shaquille O'Neal scored 34 points and grabbed 13 rebounds today as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Grizzlies 98-88 before 19,193 fans, the first sellout of the season in Vancouver. O'Neal was 13-for-19 from the field and 8-of-12 from the line as the Lakers made it four straight over the Grizzlies this season, including a controversial 113-112 victory in Los Angeles when O'Neal rebounded a miss and scored at the buzzer on Jan. 15.

AP NewsBrief by LYNDA LANE

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