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have a 7-5 Republican edge in membership. They are concerned that their participation would grant legitimacy to what they believe will be a partisan forum. But they also worry that if they avoid it they won't have the chance to counter GOP claims and defend potential witnesses.
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Russia marks Victory Day with vast military parade as insurgents in Ukraine prepare referendum
• MOSCOW (AP) -- Russia showed off its military muscle Friday in the annual Red Square parade marking victory over Nazi Germany, at a time when the world's attention is focused on Ukraine where pro-Russian insurgents are preparing a referendum on secession.
• Russia's President Vladimir Putin made no reference to the situation in Ukraine in a speech before the parade, focusing on the historic importance of the victory over Nazi Germany. But in a sign of triumph over Russia's annexation of Ukraine's region of Crimea, parading troops included a marine unit from the Black Sea Fleet that flew the Crimean flag on its armored personnel carriers.
• About 11,000 Russian troops proudly marched across Red Square to the tunes of marches and patriotic songs, followed by columns of dozens of tanks and rocket launchers. About 70 combat aircraft, including giant nuclear-capable strategic bombers, roared overhead.
• Crimea, which hosts a major Russian Black Sea Fleet base, is also set to hold a massive navy parade in the port of Sevastopol, celebrating the Russian takeover.
• Victory Day is Russia's most important secular holiday and a key element of the national identity, reflecting the nation's enormous suffering and honoring millions of victims of World War II. This year it comes as Russia is locked in the worst crisis with the West since the end of the Cold War.
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New resting place, same mission: Scientists still working to ID remains from Sept. 11 attacks
• NEW YORK (AP) -- Thousands of vacuum-sealed plastic pouches filled with bits of bone rest in a Manhattan laboratory. These are the last unidentified fragments of the people who died in the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.
• On Saturday, the 7,930 pouches are to be moved in a solemn procession from the city medical examiner's office to the new trade center site. They will be kept in a (Continued on page 29)
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