Judge halts murder trial, rips 3 jurors
In a stunning conclusion to the five-week trial of two alleged street gang members accused of murdering 10-year-old Trina Persad, a Suffolk County judge declared a mistrial yesterday in the case of the man accused of shooting the girl after learning that three jurors had failed to disclose their criminal records.

US says signs point to suicide attack
WASHINGTON -- The US military said yesterday it believes a suicide bomber penetrated an Army base in northern Iraq and set off the explosion on Tuesday that killed 21 people, including 18 Americans.

US eases patdown policy for air travelers
The federal agency in charge of airline screening yesterday changed its policy on patdowns, in part because of complaints by women passengers about searches of their chests.

State faulted on lack of insurance for some workers
Governor Mitt Romney wants businesses that refuse to provide health insurance to their workers to pay a higher minimum wage or post decals in their windows telling customers they do not offer coverage. But in suggesting ways to pressure employers into being good public citizens, the governor has neglected to mention one prominent offender: his own administration.

With crew presumed lost, fishing rules rapped
NEW BEDFORD -- Grief and anger gripped this fabled fishing city yesterday, as the search for five men lost at sea ended unsuccessfully and as attention turned to how the accident might have been avoided. Many here blamed government regulations that they said had propelled the fated voyage in dangerous conditions.