Breach

UNITED NATIONS - Preparing for the endgame on how to confront Iraq, the United States said yesterday that it has won two key swing votes on the Security Council - those of Ireland and Mauritius - giving it the necessary majority to pass its resolution. "We're done," a U.S. official said. "We are confident that we have a majority, and we are looking to end the diplomatic process next week." U.S. officials say that they will present a new resolution next week incorporating council members' suggestions and that they hope to have a vote by the week after next.

Morgan State football coach Ricky Diggs, who during the past four months has been named in separate lawsuits alleging sexual harassment and breach of contract, issued a statement yesterday describing the accusations as "unfounded."It was the first time that Diggs, who begins his third season as coach at Morgan on Saturday, has commented about the two lawsuits.As reported in The Baltimore Sun last week, Diggs was named as a defendant in a $450,000 lawsuit filed by Rondle Woods, who alleges breach of contract and negligent misrepresentation after being hired as the defensive coordinator only to be relieved of his duties.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Computer tapes - containing information on 206,000 employees, time-share owners and customers that could be misused by credit thieves - are missing from Marriott Vacation Club International's Orlando headquarters, the company said yesterday, "We regret this situation has occurred and realize this may cause concern for our associates and customers," Marriott Vacation Club President Stephen P. Weisz said in a written statement. Ed Kinney, a spokesman for the timeshare giant, said the tapes contain people's addresses, Social Security numbers "and other sensitive information."

WASHINGTON -- Now that the inspections of Iraqi facilities in a search for weapons of mass destruction have begun, there seem to be two distinct aspirations among those awaiting reports. Most of the United Nations apparently hope that the inspection teams will find no such weapons or the means to make them, but if they are found, that Saddam Hussein will then admit their existence and agree to their demolition. The Bush administration appears to hope that he will continue to deny their existence even if strong evidence is discovered, thus vindicating the administration's sweeping allegations and providing the green light for American military action, with or without U.N. sanction and assistance.

A Baltimore County judge issued an injunction yesterday against an Illinois manufacturer that tried to cut off its product shipments to Tessco Technologies Inc., a Sparks-based distributor of wireless telephone network equipment.Circuit Judge Christian M. Kahl ordered Andrew Corp., of Orland Park, Ill., to continue to sell its cable, connectors and other products to Tessco under the terms of a distribution agreement it attempted to terminate. According to Tessco Friday, Andrew gave it 30 days' notice that it intended to end the agreement.

Responding to a recent security breach at the Clarence M. Mitchell Jr. courthouse, the city sheriff's office has turned up the sensitivity levels of metal detectors at both courthouse buildings.But, because the detectors now flag nearly all metal objects -- including belt buckles, earrings and coins -- deputies must scan almost every courthouse visitor by hand. And that has led to another problem: lines of people waiting to enter the courthouse ooze down the steps and threaten to spill onto Calvert Street.

Dear Joyce: We have always found your column helpful. Now more than ever, as both my wife and I look for jobs. I believe my wife was unfairly dismissed. How does she go about challenging her termination other than going to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission? -- A.W.Dear A.W.: So many people have hit employers with job termination lawsuits that video coverage of the topic would fill its own TV cable channel.That may be why your first reaction is to fight back.But the reality is that the legal doctrine of employment-at-will still reigns in the workplace, meaning employers in private industry generally have the right to fire employees.

NEW ORLEANS - President Bush arrived here last night for his third visit as this stricken city continued its determined struggle to recover from Hurricane Katrina's shattering arrival two weeks ago. The airport announced plans to resume some commercial flights this week; the largest levee breach has been closed; and floodwaters have slowly receded, speeding recovery but also exposing the breadth of the devastation. In sharp contrast to his previous trips, in which Bush seemed intent on reassuring the public about the government's role and the commitment to rebuild New Orleans and the Mississippi coastal communities, the White House portrayed this trip as more akin to a general heading to the front lines for inspection.

The Impossible Industrial Action theater company describes its latest work, "The Adventures of Felix," as a "trial by theater."It's a description that fits this original script by IIA artistic director Tony Tsendeas in ways he probably didn't intend. In addition to the inclusion of a trial scene, this Theatre Project offering is frequently a trial for the audience.The show's most serious flaw is that it is about a man who is emotionally numb and is therefore difficult for the audience to care about.

NATIONAL Calling out the Guard? President Bush, trying to build momentum for an overhaul of the nation's immigration laws, is considering plans to shore up the Mexican border with National Guard troops paid for by the federal government, according to senior administration officials. pg 1a WORLD Enriched uranium in Iran Inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency have found traces of uranium from an Iranian research center that had been enriched more than would be needed for use in nuclear power plants and could be suitable for a nuclear weapons program, diplomats said.