New York City: Flag flown at ground zero raised above City Hall

An American flag that was lifted above the wreckage of the World Trade Center and then flew aboard military ships deployed in the war against terror was hoisted Monday morning above City Hall.

The flag, which three firefighters raised on Sept. 11 in a famous image, was sent to the USS Theodore Roosevelt in October as it sailed toward Afghanistan. It has since flown on six other ships involved in U.S. military missions.

The flag returned last week to New York after a ceremony aboard the Roosevelt as it ended its six-month mission and returned to Norfolk, Va.

Washington, D.C.: Fuel economy standard for trucks doesn’t change

The government’s fuel economy standard for 2004 model year light trucks will remain at 20.7 miles per gallon, the same standard that has been in effect since 1996.

Monday was the government’s deadline for issuing a standard for 2004 pickups, sport utility vehicles and minivans.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it did not have enough time to examine the influence of a higher standard. Congress lifted a six-year prohibition against studying fuel economy standards in December.

Corporate Average Fuel Economy  or CAFE  standards were set by Congress in 1975 at 27.5 miles per gallon for cars. A lower standard for light trucks was introduced in 1979.

Automakers do not have to meet the standard for every vehicle, but must meet the average for their fleet.

Pakistan: Suspects demand open trial in slaying of U.S. reporter

Four men accused of kidnapping and killing Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl are challenging the government’s decision to try them behind prison walls, arguing Monday that a closed trial violates Pakistani law.

Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, accused of masterminding the Jan. 23 kidnapping, and three accomplices are scheduled for trial Friday before an anti-terrorism court on charges of murder, kidnapping and terrorism. Citing security reasons, the government ordered the trial be held at the jail.

In a written application, the four urged that the high court here in Sindh province order the trial to be held in an open courtroom.

Two high court judges will hear the motion, submitted by Saeed, Salman Saqib, Fahad Naseem and Sheikh Mohammed Adeel, on Thursday.

France: Fire destroys synagogue in latest anti-Semitic attack

A fire destroyed a synagogue in the Mediterranean port city of Marseille at the close of a weekend that brought a rash of attacks targeting Jews in France, police said Monday.

No injuries were reported in the blaze that broke out late Sunday night, shortly after police had completed a patrol of the synagogue as part of heightened security measures at Jewish religious sites.

Police said they would not comment on the cause of the fire until they investigated further. The 20-year-old synagogue, was located in the middle of a housing project.Â