National and International News-Wednesday

ROME (AP) - The U-S is standing firm, when it comes to Lebanese peace efforts. After a conference in Rome today, attended by U-N Secretary-General Kofi Annan and diplomats from Europe and the Arab world, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice again insisted a cease-fire can't simply lead to a return to political uncertainty and instability in Lebanon.

BEIRUT, Lebanon (AP) - The heaviest fighting of Israel's two-week offensive in Lebanon is talking place today as Hezbollah fighters try to stop Israeli forces from capturing the town of Bint Jbai. Arab T-V reports more than a dozen Israelisoldiers have been killed, but Israel isn't confirming that.

BOSTON (AP) - Warnings reportedly came far in advance of the Big Dig highway tunnel collapse that killed a motorist this month. The Boston Globe reports today an on-site safety manager told his superiors in 1999 that the structure wouldn't hold the "test of time." He said the ceiling panels might fall because the bolts wouldn't support them.

SEYMOUR, Ind. (AP) - The 17-year-old boy who police say has confessed to a series of highway shootings in Indiana that left one man dead and another hurt is expected in court today. Zachariah Blanton was arrested yesterday. Police say he's been cooperative and remorseful. The motive for the weekend shootings isn't known.

NEW YORK (AP) - Everyone in New York has their lights back on.Con Edison says the last of the tens of thousands of people in Queens who were affected by a ten-day blackout have had their electricity restored this morning. In St. Louis, meanwhile, utility crews expect to restore power to some 100-thousand homes and businesses today.