French and German leaders together reiterated that they were opposed to military conflict in Iraq and that U.N. weapons inspectors need more time. NATO ambassadors also declined a U.S. request to discuss military preparations for a possible conflict. In the U.S., President Bush reiterated that Iraqi military leaders would be prosecuted for war crimes if they used chemical or biological weapons. (BBC, WaPost)

U.S. officials said they expected the U.N. Security Council to take up consideration of North Korea's nuclear weapons programs by the end of the week. In Seoul, North Korean delegates insisted the country had no intention of developing nuclear weapons. (WaPost)

Tens of thousands of civilians in Burundi have been forced to flee heavy fighting between the Burundi army and ethnic Hutu rebels. The fighting has escalated as both sides attempt to capture territory in advance of peace talks, which are expected to resume in the next few days. (BBC)

The Venezuelan Central Bank suspended trading on its foreign exchange for five days. The Venezuelan bolivar has fallen 28 percent over the course of the country's general strike, now in its seventh week. [Earlier in the day, the Venezuelan Supreme Court also ruled against a nonbinding referendum on President Hugo Chavez.] (Reuters, Reuters)

Migrant workers in China's urban areas have increased protests over unpaid wages. Many of them hope to return to their villages and visit their families for the Chinese New Year, Feb. 1. (BBC)

President Bush expressed frustration that other members on the U.N. Security Council want to give U.N. weapons inspectors more time in Iraq. France, Germany, Russia and China have indicated varying degrees of opposition to military action at this time. (NYT, WaPost)

A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck coastal Mexico, killing at least 21. The quake was centered some 300 miles west of Mexico City, in the state of Colima. (LAT)

Thousands of protestors, marching in Washington, D.C., on the 30th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision recognizing abortion rights, said they disagreed with each other on whether abortion should be illegal. Some said it should be, but others said it shouldn't. (Yahoo/AP)*

The U.S. Army, Navy and Marine Corps activated a combined total of 20,000 additional reservists in the past week, the U.S. Defense Department said. Some 79,000 reservists are now on active duty. (MSNBC)

A U.S. District Court judge ruled that consumers could reasonably be expected to know of the health risks associated with eating McDonald's foods, and that the fast food chain was not responsible for their doing so. (Reuters)

The U.S. Senate voted 94-0 to confirm Tom Ridge as the first secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The new department will officially be created on Friday. (AP)

The Hispanic population grew by 4.7 percent, accounting for nearly half the total U.S. population growth between April 2000 and July 2001, according to U.S. census estimates. Experts expect that immigration from Latin America and a relatively high birth rate will cause the Hispanic population to continue to grow rapidly, making Latinos America's largest minority. (NYT, WaPost)

A study found that Americans ate larger and larger portions of food at home between 1977 and 1996. The number of Americans who are overweight also increased during that time. (WaPost)

Al Sharpton said he would seek the Democratic nomination for president in the 2004 election. Sharpton said he would speak for minority interests. (WaPost)

The U.S. government will upgrade existing outdoor pollution monitors so they can detect the presence of deadly pathogens that might be used in a terrorist attack, officials said. The monitoring system will be able to detect a pathogen released in a U.S. city "within a matter of days." (NYT)

A poll found that a smaller majority of Americans supports military action in Iraq, and that some 70 percent favor giving U.N. inspectors more time. A majority also disapprove of President Bush's handling of the economy. (WaPost)

President Bush expressed frustration that other members on the U.N. Security Council want to give U.N. weapons inspectors more time in Iraq. France, Germany, Russia and China have indicated varying degrees of opposition to military action at this time. (NYT, WaPost)

Losses by Kodak and J.P. Morgan led the Dow Jones Industrial Average 1.5 percent lower, to 8,318, its lowest close this year. The Nasdaq ended at 1,359, down 0.3 percent, and the Standard & Poor's 500 Index fell 1 percent, to 878, also its lowest close of 2003. (CBS MarketWatch)

The Venezuelan Central Bank suspended trading on its foreign exchange for five days. The Venezuelan bolivar has fallen 28 percent over the course of the country's general strike, now in its seventh week. [Earlier in the day, the Venezuelan Supreme Court also ruled against a nonbinding referendum on President Hugo Chavez.] (Reuters, Reuters)

The New York Times reported that banks are earning profits off unregulated checking account overdraft fees. Critics charge that the fees unfairly take advantage of low-income customers. (NYT)

The U.S. government will upgrade existing outdoor pollution monitors so they can detect the presence of deadly pathogens that might be used in a terrorist attack, officials said. The monitoring system will be able to detect a pathogen released in a U.S. city "within a matter of days." (NYT)

Thousands of protestors, marching in Washington, D.C., on the 30th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision recognizing abortion rights, said they disagreed with each other on whether abortion should be illegal. Some said it should be, but others said it shouldn't. (Yahoo/AP)*

President Bush expressed frustration that other members on the U.N. Security Council want to give U.N. weapons inspectors more time in Iraq. France, Germany, Russia and China have indicated varying degrees of opposition to military action at this time. (NYT, WaPost)