Baltimore: Judge dismisses cell phone lawsuit

A federal judge Monday tossed out an $800 million lawsuit filed by a Maryland doctor who claims cell phones caused his brain tumor.

U.S. District Judge Catherine Blake said none of the evidence submitted by Dr. Christopher Newman was substantial enough to warrant a trial against cell phone manufacturer Motorola and several major cell phone carriers.

The $45 billion wireless industry has been watching the case closely because it could have opened the door to other lawsuits if allowed to proceed. No other such claims have succeeded so far.

Newman, a neurologist, claims the older, analog cell phone he used from 1992 to 1998 caused his brain cancer.

Newman’s attorneys presented scientific evidence showing that analog phones may cause tumors, but Blake ruled it was overwhelmed by evidence showing no relationship between cell phone radiation and cancer.

Washington, D.C.: HIV-prevention groups cite federal ‘witch hunt’

The Bush administration has pulled information about the effectiveness of condoms from a government Web site and is engaged in a “witch hunt” against those who promote condoms in the fight against AIDS, several groups charged Monday.

They argue that the administration is hostile to HIV prevention and sex education that is not based on “abstinence-only,” which discourages all sex before marriage and bars discussion of the benefits of birth control or condom use.

The advocacy groups said they are particularly concerned about federal agency audits of AIDS groups now under way, examining their finances and programming.

“It’s a campaign to censor science and research, and it’s a campaign to use government auditors to intimidate opponents of the administration on key policy issues,” said James Wagoner, president of Advocates for Youth, a group that promotes education about birth control and condom use.

The administration says it is simply making sure that tax dollars are properly spent.

Texas: Mother of octuplets gives birth again

The seven surviving Texas octuplets now have a little sister.

Nkem Chukwu of League City, the only woman known to have delivered eight living babies from one pregnancy, gave birth to Ifeoma Chukwu on Aug. 22.

In 1998, Chukwu spent more than two months suspended practically upside down to ease the pressure caused by her crowded womb. One of her babies was delivered Dec. 8 of that year, while the seven others arrived 12 days later.

The smallest died after one week, but the others five girls and two boys have grown up without complications.

Like her siblings, Ifeoma was born at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital in Houston. Her birthweight of 6 pounds, 15 ounces, was a far cry from that of her siblings, whose weights ranged from 11 ounces to 1 pound, 11 ounces.

Boston: Hundreds of janitors walk out on strike

Hundreds of janitors walked off the job Monday at Boston’s World Trade Center and several downtown offices in a strike over pay and benefits.

Officials with Service Employees International Union Local 254 said more than 1,000 of its roughly 10,000 Boston area members walked out, with more expected as the week progresses.

They targeted Unicco, which provides cleaning service to 1,450 buildings in and around the city, and other smaller cleaning companies. The strike will continue indefinitely, union spokeswoman Sylvia Panfil said.

The strike is the latest round in a national push by SEIU to raise working standards.