N.Y. bids goodbye to 2001 but not Sept. 11 [AP photo] NEW YORK -- A crystal ball honoring victims of the World Trade Center attack dropped in Times Square at midnight Monday, signaling the arrival of 2002 and giving patriotic revelers a chance to bid farewell to a year of horrors and heroes.

Bush lauds Pakistan for antiterror effort
CRAWFORD, Texas -- President Bush praised Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf on Monday for measures he has taken to quell terrorism, and urged Americans not to let down their guard in the new year.

Anthrax vaccine getting few takers
WASHINGTON -- Fewer than 100 people have opted for the experimental anthrax vaccine out of thousands eligible, although federal health officials say more than 700 are taking additional antibiotics.

Marines head out to hunt for Omar
U.S. Marines launched a mission Monday to capture Mullah Mohammed Omar, the Taliban leader, thought to be hiding in the remote mountains of central Afghanistan, Prime Minister Hamid Karzai said.

Unfilled judgeships draw Rehnquist's ire
WASHINGTON -- Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist says unfilled judgeships are inexcusable during a time of terrorist attacks and threats.

Pakistani arrests help ease border tensions
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- After days of saber-rattling and a buildup of Indian and Pakistani forces in Kashmir, tensions in the disputed Himalayan territory appeared to ease slightly Monday with Pakistan's arrest of 20 anti-Indian militants and the promise to continue the crackdown.

Giuliani ends term with no regrets
NEW YORK -- Mayor Rudolph Giuliani spent his final day in office Monday praising police, firefighters and other city workers, and said he had no regrets about returning to private life.

Peruvians still want their fireworks
LIMA, Peru -- Police combed through downtown Lima for fireworks Monday, lugging away crate after crate of Roman candles, bottle rockets and firecrackers in hopes of averting a disaster like the inferno that killed nearly 300 people over the weekend.