Missing European tourists leave hopeful message in desert: Austrian Foreign Minister Thomas Buchsbaum said that some of the 31 European tourists feared kidnapped in Algeria have left a message in the desert saying they are alive. The message-"We are alive"-was found, but the fate of the tourists is unknown. The leading theory is that they were kidnapped, but Buchsbaum stressed that there was no evidence to confirm such a theory. The tourists were in six or seven separate groups and were all traveling without guides. Some were crossing the Sahara by motorbike, according to the BBC. Media reports in Algeria have suggested that militant groups linked to Osama Bin Laden's al Qaeda network could be behind the disappearances. Attention has been focused on militant Islamist leader Mokhtar Belmokhtar, who operates in the region, but no ransom demands are reported to have been received. Further details of the desert message have not been revealed, but Austrian officials say it was left on April 8. The message's location has enabled police-currently searching a huge expanse of desert region-to focus their hunt. Police searches using helicopters and camels have failed to find any trace of the missing tourists.

City council overrides Bloomberg, limits cell phone use: The New York City Council overrode a veto by Mayor Michael Bloomberg of a bill that would make cellular phone use illegal in "any indoor theater, library, museum, gallery, motion picture theater, concert hall or building in which theatrical, musical, dance, motion picture, lecture or other similar performances are exhibited," according to CNN.com. The bill went into effect on Sunday. The law carries a fine of $50 for offenders who are caught and cited. The legislation was first proposed by theater owners whose patrons complained of cell phones ringing during performances. The ban, however, includes a large loophole-city council members ruled their own chambers exempt, despite the often raucous, public performances that take place there. "Wireless phones are part of a long list of potentially inconsiderate behavior, a list that includes talking during performances, singing aloud-except when sanctioned-unwrapping candy and cough drops and even attending a public performance when suffering from a cough or allergy," said Thomas Wheeler, a leading opponent of the bill. "No matter how laudable the goal, the city cannot legislate courtesy and common sense."

Senator files bill to require protestors to pay costs of protests: Massachusetts State Senate Minority Leader Brian Lees filed a bill that would require protesters arrested for blocking traffic to pay for the costs of their demonstrations, according to The Daily Hampshire Gazette. Lees said he was inspired by the immense costs incurred by already cash-strapped municipal budgets and costs of keeping protests orderly. The Northampton Police Department has been seeking a way to recoup $6,000 in overtime expenses incurred as a result of an anti-war protest on March 28, for example. "It's shocking to me that these folks want us to waste public safety dollars on them, when we're spread so thin on public safety officials now," Lees said. "Protestors who go with the intent to disrupt life and get arrested are going to have to pay for the costs," he continued in the Gazette. "Everybody agrees with me, except for some of the protesters." The ACLU believes the bill is intended to "stamp out dissent" and that it would make stepping off the curb a criminal offense. Others simply cite the inability to enforce such a law. Finally some activists believe that it is "racist and classist. Only people with money could afford to say no to the government."