U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations John D. Negroponte said Monday night that the United Nations, like the United States, is helpful in securing democracy worldwide. "If the United States is necessary, but not sufficient to good things happening in the world, the same is true of the U.

Before Title IV was implemented, women could not take certain classes, stay out late or participate in certain activities, said Dr. Nancy Dickey, president of the Texas A&M Health Sciences Center College of Medicine and vice chancellor for heath affairs. Dickey spoke before a full crowd at the Women's Week kick-off luncheon Monday at Reed Arena, beginning a week of events that celebrate women's accomplishments.

HOUSTON - President George W. Bush appeared Monday at the Houston Livestock Show to meet and greet potential voters between fund-raising dinners in Dallas and Houston. Bush entered the cattle barn area of Reliant Center amid a roar of applause and began inspecting the Brahman bulls as he spoke to exhibitors and shook hands with Livestock Show visitors.

AUSTIN - Hours before Texas' primary Tuesday - the first test of the contentious, Republican-drawn map for congressional voting districts - candidates fanned out across the state to put the finishing touches on their campaigns. Some primary battles were hard-fought and expensive, particularly in key congressional races where the GOP hoped to take seats away from Democratic incumbents and snare the advantage in Texas' evenly split 32-member congressional delegation.

BAGHDAD, Iraq - For an hour anyway, Iraqi leaders put aside their disagreements during the signing of a landmark interim constitution Monday, heaping praise on the U.S.-backed document amid patriotic songs and Quranic verses urging unity. But sectarian differences resurfaced as soon as the event ended.

NEW ORLEANS - A major study released Monday found that especially aggressive treatment with statin drugs, intended to drive cholesterol far below current standards, prevents new heart problems and saves lives. These drug are a cornerstone of cardiac care, routinely prescribed for heart attack victims.

BAGHDAD, Iraq - For an hour anyway, Iraqi leaders put aside their disagreements during the signing of a landmark interim constitution Monday, heaping praise on the U.S.-backed document amid patriotic songs and Quranic verses urging unity. But sectarian differences resurfaced as soon as the event ended.

WASHINGTON - Just nine hours after Grover Thomas had his knee replaced, he hobbled home from the hospital. Five days later, he was walking unassisted, no crutch or cane in sight. Some 300,000 Americans a year have total knee replacements, and many might be green with envy upon reading this: The operation usually requires several days in the hospital and weeks on crutches, not counting arduous physical therapy.