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Nation in brief
DeLay tries for dismissal
By wire services
Published December 24, 2005
AUSTIN, Texas - In a last-ditch effort to secure a speedy trial, former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's attorneys asked Friday for the state's highest criminal court to dismiss charges against him or order a lower court to try him immediately.
The money laundering and conspiracy case against the Republican congressman has been on hold while prosecutors appeal a judge's dismissal of some of the charges.
DeLay attorney Dick DeGuerin took the case to the all-GOP Texas Court of Criminal Appeals a day after a lower appeals court denied his request that the case be sent back to the trial court or expedited through the appeals process.
DeLay has been pressing for a quick resolution of his case in hopes of regaining his post as majority leader before his colleagues call for new leadership elections next month.
Four arrested in theft of explosives
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Four men, including two brothers, were taken into custody Friday by federal authorities in connection with the theft of 400 pounds of explosives from a storage depot southwest of Albuquerque.
The explosives were reported stolen Sunday from Cherry Engineering's storage depot 8 miles southwest of New Mexico's largest city. Federal authorities have said it was enough to flatten a large building.
The men, whose names were not immediately released, all face federal charges, including possession of stolen explosives.
Stolen were 150 pounds of C-4, 250 pounds of sheet explosives, 20,000 feet of detonator cord and 2,500 blasting caps.
Chocolates in space
MOSCOW - Christmas arrived early at the international space station as an unmanned Russian cargo ship arrived Friday, bearing supplies, chocolates and gifts from the families of the American and Russian crewmen.
In addition to some 2.8 tons of food, water, books, DVDs and scientific equipment, the ship is also bringing astronauts Valery Tokarev and William McArthur chocolates, two red holiday caps and gifts from their families.
[Last modified December 24, 2005, 01:10:16]
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