Pentagon audits are investigated

Pentagon oversight agency officials forced changes to unfavorable reports on defense contracts, hid contractor overbilling and attempted to hinder an investigation, the Government Accountability Office reported.

Pressure from contractors and senior officials of the Defense Contract Audit Agency led to changes in initial reports, the GAO said in an 80-page report.

The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, which requested the inquiry, said Boeing Co. and Northrop Grumman Co. were on the list.

Oil slick affects the Mississippi

A stretch of the Mississippi River at New Orleans could be closed for days as crews clean a 12-mile oil slick caused when a tanker and barge collided, officials said. The slick closed about 47 miles of river, the Coast Guard said.

B-52 crash kills six-member crew

All six crew members died when a B-52 bomber crashed Monday, the Air Force said. Two bodies have been found. Forensic specialists were trying to identify additional recovered remains, the Air Force said without elaboration.

Billionaires to aid no-smoking effort

New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Microsoft founder Bill Gates said they would together provide $500 million to fight tobacco use around the world, especially in developing countries where smoking rates are rising.

Novak cited for hitting pedestrian

Syndicated columnist and TV political pundit Robert Novak hit a pedestrian as he drove down the street. The victim was slightly injured, the fire department said. Novak was cited for failing to yield.

From Times Wire Reports