Gainesville, Fla.

Student tasered at college forum that featured Kerry

The University of Florida asked state investigators yesterday to review campus officers' use of a Taser during a forum with Sen. John Kerry, on a persistent questioner who is known for posting practical jokes online.

Video of Monday's takedown of the 21-year-old student was replayed extensively on TV and the Internet. University President Bernie Machen called the confrontation "regretful" and said two officers were placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the probe.

The student, Andrew Meyer, spent a night in jail before his release yesterday morning on his recognizance. He had no comment when he left.

Some Florida students reacted angrily to the arrest, planning protests and possible sit-ins against alleged police brutality.

Washington

Diplomatic land travel in Iraq suspended

The United States yesterday suspended all land travel by U.S. diplomats and other civilian officials throughout Iraq, except in Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone. The move follows a weekend incident involving private security guards protecting a diplomatic convoy in which a number of Iraqi civilians were killed.

In a notice sent to Americans in Iraq, the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad said it had taken the step to review the security of its personnel and possible increased threats to those leaving the Green Zone while accompanied by such security details.

"In light of a serious security incident involving a U.S. embassy protective detail in the Mansour District of Baghdad, the embassy has suspended official U.S. government civilian ground movements outside the International Zone (IZ) and throughout Iraq," the notice said.

Washington

Bush asks Congress to back pullout plan

President Bush, cheered on by Iraq war veterans and their families on the White House's South Lawn, urged lawmakers yesterday to back his plan to withdraw some troops from Iraq but keep at least 130,000 through next summer or longer.

"I ask the United States Congress to support the troop levels and the strategies I have embraced," Bush said, to loud cheers and chants of "USA! USA!"

The president briefly addressed about 850 members of military support organizations who were invited to the White House for coffee, juice and pastries. With almost everyone wearing red shirts, people from several organizations gathered at picnic tables set up on the South Lawn in the morning sun.

Las Vegas

O.J. charged with seven felonies

O.J. Simpson was charged yesterday with seven felonies, including kidnapping, in the alleged armed robbery of sports memorabilia collectors in a casino-hotel room.

The fallen football star was arrested Sunday after a collector reported a group of armed men charged into his hotel room at a casino and took several items Simpson claimed belonged to him.

Simpson was booked on suspicion of assault and robbery with a deadly weapon. Clark County District Attorney David Roger filed those charges and added kidnapping and conspiracy to commit kidnapping, according to court documents.

Simpson, who was accused along with three other men, was also charged with one misdemeanor. He faces the possibility of life in prison if convicted.

- Compiled from Daily wire reports

Fallen Americans

3,787

Number of American service members who have died in the War in Iraq, according to The Associated Press. The following service member was identified by the Department of Defense yesterday:
Army Pfc. Brandon T. Thorsen, 22, Trenton, Fla