Around the world
CHECHNYA: Russian forces launched air and artillery attacks Thursday on the Chechen rebel stronghold of Bamut and nearby villages. Clashes also were reported in Grozny, the capital of the secessionist Chechen republic. Reflecting U.N. concern about developments in the 15-month-long conflict, a senior U.N. envoy will hold talks with Moscow on Monday about setting up a permanent U.N. human rights office in Chechnya.SEAL HUNT: Norwegian hunters will begin a commercial seal hunt next week that includes killing seal pups for the first time in seven years. Two weeks ago, the sealers said they were canceling the hunt because cuts in government subsidies made it unprofitable. But Wednesday, four of the five Norwegian hunting boats were preparing to start the season March 22. "It appears that the cancellation was a negotiating tactic," said Halvard P. Johansen of the Norwegian Fisheries Ministry.
Across the nation
FINGER SUIT: David Dean was at home making a sandwich when he spotted it - part of a finger lying among the slices of deli ham, which his wife had bought at their neighborhood supermarket in Tampa, Fla. "We've had some sleepless nights," Katie Dean said. "Nightmares. I probably will never purchase deli meat again." The Deans filed a lawsuit Wednesday against Publix Supermarkets, claiming they have suffered from the fear of contracting hepatitis or AIDS from the female employee who cut off her fingertip while slicing the ham. The ham was bought in July and it was not immediately clear why the couple waited so long to file the suit, which seeks damages in excess of $15,000. Company spokeswoman Jennifer Bush said the supermarket's workers were well-trained in handling food, but she would not comment further.
CHARGED: Two white brothers were charged with abducting a black man from a tavern parking lot and then forcing him to strip and jump off an 18-foot bridge into a frigid stream. The Springboro, Pa., tavern owner found the victim walking along a deserted road, still naked and his legs cut from the jump. Both feet were frostbitten, police said. "He was cold, shivering, in shock and disoriented," said Don Mugridge, owner of Muggsy's North Star Tavern in Spring Township, where Carl Morton was abducted. "What has happened has disgraced our entire community." An FBI spokesman in Pittsburgh said the agency was investigating for possible civil rights violations.