Briefs of the Nation and World

For first time, McVeigh publicly admits to bombing

Defiant and remorseless as his execution approaches, Timothy J. McVeigh for the first time publicly admits in a new book that he blew up a federal building in Oklahoma City six years ago and coldly refers to the 15 children killed in the building's day-care center as "collateral damage."

McVeigh, 32, also confirms what prosecutors argued at his trial: that he was motivated by his hatred for the federal government.

"I understand what they felt in Oklahoma City. I have no sympathy for them," he told the authors of "American Terrorist: Timothy McVeigh and the Oklahoma City Bombing," during 75 hours of prison interviews.

Key vote signals victory for campaign finance overhaul

Beating back the biggest threat to its campaign finance bill, the Senate Thursday rejected a proposal that would have knocked out a proposed ban on unrestricted donations to political parties if any other major provision was found unconstitutional.

The surprisingly strong 57 to 43 vote to shield this "soft money" ban from collateral damage in a constitutional fight over other parts of the bill cleared the way for final passage of the legislation to overhaul the nation's campaign funding laws.

"This is where the Senate takes a stand, this is the test," said Sen. Russell Feingold, D-Wis., who, with Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., is sponsoring the legislation, which was on the verge of Senate approval after years of being blocked by Republican filibusters and other maneuvers.

Foot-and-mouth makes election date a touchy matter

Prime Minister Tony Blair enjoys a booming economy and enviable public approval ratings, but his decision on whether to call a national election for May has been complicated by the crisis surrounding the foot-and-mouth epidemic on Britain's farms.

Under Britain's parliamentary system, Blair can choose the date for national elections. He is said to be eager to dissolve Parliament and hold an election quickly, with May 3 as his preferred date. Blair must decide by Monday, and he's receiving conflicting advice from across the political spectrum. A choice that once seemed almost automatic suddenly has emerged as a crucial test of Blair's political instincts and courage.

Power struggle erupts under pressure to arrest Milosevic

A power struggle between Yugoslavia's two strongest leaders has boosted deposed President Slobodan Milosevic's chances of staying out of jail a little longer.

Just a month ago, it seemed a sure bet that the former Yugoslav leader would be locked up by midnight Saturday, a deadline set by the U.S. Congress. Officials here repeatedly promised Washington that it would not have to deliver on the congressional threat to cut off aid, saying the arrest was imminent.

But a squabble between Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica and Zoran Djindjic, prime minister of the nation's larger republic, Serbia, is tilting the odds in Milosevic's favor and threatens to split the coalition that overthrew him in October.

Suspect in slaying of N.Y. abortion doctor caught in France

The man accused of using a sniper's rifle to kill a Buffalo, N.Y., abortion doctor was apprehended Thursday in France, ending an international manhunt that stretched through six countries and lasted more than two years, according to U.S. and French officials.

James Charles Kopp, 46, was arrested without incident by French police in the small town of Dinan in northwest France. Prosecutors said Kopp was apprehended after he picked up a package mailed from the United States containing about $300.

Briefs compiled from L.A. Times/Washington Post wire service.