JIM LEHRER: This was a tough day on Wall Street and on markets around the world. It started after Chinese stocks plunged 9 percent overnight, and U.S. economic data came in weaker than expected.
At one point, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was off nearly 550 points. It finished with a loss of 416 points to close at 12,216, down more than 3 percent. The Nasdaq fell 96 points, or 4 percent, to close below 2,408.
Today's losses wiped out all of the gains for the year. We'll have more on this story right after the news summary.
The United States will join Iraq in a new initiative aimed at Iran and Syria. Secretary of State Rice announced today Iraq invited those countries to a "neighbors meeting" with U.S. support. Spokesman Sean McCormack said it does not mean the U.S. plans direct talks with Iran and Syria.
SEAN MCCORMACK, State Department Spokesman: We think it is important to attend that meeting, to demonstrate, first of all, our support for Iraq on all the variety of issues that they are going to bring up, economic, security, political, diplomatic, and use that also as a way to encourage Iraq's neighbors to play as positive a role as they possibly can. It's a discussion; it's not a negotiation.
JIM LEHRER: In another development, Senate leaders agreed today not to deal with Iraq in a bill on homeland security. The measure is designed to improve security on railroads and airlines. Majority Leader Reid said relatives of the 9/11 victims asked for quick action without getting bogged down on Iraq funding amendments. We'll have more on Iraq and U.S. policy right after this news summary.
In Iraq today, the U.S. military announced four American soldiers were killed in separate attacks south of Baghdad. And Iraqi television said a car bomb in Ramadi killed at least 18 Iraqi boys at a soccer park. The boys were 10 to 15 years old.
Elsewhere, at least 20 Iraqis died in attacks around Baghdad and other cities. Dozens more were wounded.
U.S. and Iraqi forces launched raids on Shiite gang leaders in Baghdad today. It was the latest move in a security crackdown that began two weeks ago. The focus was on the Sadr City district, a stronghold for militant Shiites. Up to now, the Iraqi government opposed large-scale U.S. patrols there.
The number-two U.S. commander in Iraq, Army Lieutenant General Ray Odierno, discussed the raids at a briefing, but he would not say if there were special tactics to avoid inflaming Shiites.
LT. GEN. RAY ODIERNO, U.S. Army: First of all, all operations are conducted jointly with Iraqi security forces.
Secondly, operations are conducted against those who are working against this government, the government of Iraq. And we conduct operations in all areas, not just Sadr City. We conduct operations all over the country, all over Baghdad.
JIM LEHRER: The general did say execution killings in Baghdad have fallen sharply since the crackdown began. The Associated Press reported just under 500 bodies found in the city this month; that's down from more than 950 during January. And in December, the figure topped 1,200. The killings are generally the work of sectarian death squads.
A top U.S. base in Afghanistan came under attack today, as Vice President Cheney was visiting. A suicide bomber blew himself up outside Bagram Air Base. The vice president was well inside the large facility and was unhurt.
Up to 20 Afghans were killed, along with a U.S. soldier, an American contractor, and a South Korean soldier. The Taliban claimed responsibility and said Mr. Cheney was the target. The U.S. military called that a "far-fetched allegation."
A major new medical report today shed new light on a virus linked to cervical cancer. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control said one-quarter of American women, ages 14 to 59, are infected with forms of the virus spread through sexual contact. One in 50 have the type linked to cervical cancer that can be prevented with a new vaccine. We'll have more on this story later in the program tonight.
The former head of the Food and Drug Administration was sentenced to three years' probation today for lying about stocks he owned. Lester Crawford was also fined roughly $90,000. He pleaded guilty to holding stock in companies the FDA regulated while he was running the agency.
