BRIEFLY.

Senate panel OKs intelligence chief

WASHINGTON - The nomination of the nation's first national intelligence director, John Negroponte, was approved by the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday, clearing the way for the full Senate to consider President Bush's pick.

The closed-door vote means the former Iraq ambassador and longtime diplomat could be in his new job this month. Negroponte's nomination has generated little controversy in Congress.

However, Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and an intelligence panel member, said Thursday that he will oppose the nomination because, among other reasons, Negroponte was not candid enough about his record as ambassador to Honduras in the 1980s. During a confirmation hearing this week, Wyden questioned whether Negroponte had adequately reported human-rights abuses while ambassador.

- Associated Press 

Schiff leads push for democracy

WASHINGTON - Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Pasadena, is leading a push in the House to increase funding for programs that promote democracy internationally.

In a letter to the House Appropriations subcommittee overseeing foreign aid, Schiff criticized President Bush's proposal to cut $3 million from the Asia Foundation, as well and to reduce funding to the Human Rights and Democracy Fund and to programs that promote democracy in Serbia and the former Soviet Union.

``Although Congress and the administration have focused much-needed resources and attention on encouraging the growth of democracy in the Muslim world, that effort has drained money from other regions that are also sorely in need of America's leadership,'' he wrote.

Fifteen other lawmakers, all Democrats, signed onto the letter, including Reps. Howard Berman, D-Van Nuys, and Diane Watson, D-Los Angeles.

- Daily News

Bill would help clinch DNA cases

WASHINGTON - Local prosecutors who link a suspect's DNA to a previously unsolved crime would get federal help bringing the case to court under legislation introduced by Rep. Elton Gallegly, R-Thousand Oaks.

The bill would provide $500 million nationally over five years in grants to local prosecutors to help them handle the increased workload of collecting, processing and matching DNA samples.

- Daily News

At least 13 dead in Paris hotel fire

PARIS - A fire roared through a central Paris hotel early today, killing at least 13 people and injuring dozens more, fire officials said. Some people leapt from windows to escape the flames.

The fire occurred in the capital's 9th district, an area frequented by tourists. At least 57 people were injured, including 12 seriously, said fire services spokesman Laurent Vibert.

Firefighters rescued people from the hotel in the Rue de Provence but others jumped out of windows to escape flames and choking smoke, Vibert said.

The fire took more than an hour to bring under control but was still smoldering hours later. Some 250 firefighters and 50 fire engines were on the scene.

- Associated Press