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This is a partial transcript of “The Big Story With John Gibson,” May 3, 2005, that has been edited for clarity. JOHN GIBSON, HOST: Iraq’s new prime minister vowing to fight terrorism in his country; his pledge coming the same day as a deadly gun battle erupted between coalition forces …

BAGHDAD, Iraq – An Iraqi aircraft with four Americans and an Iraqi on board crashed Monday in eastern Diyala province (search) during an operational mission, the military said. An “Iraqi aircraft” with “four U.S. personnel and one Iraqi on board” crashed sometime before noon, the military said in a statement. …

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Jack Daniel’s (search) whiskey packed a strong kick for sales at Brown-Forman Corp. (BF.A), which Wednesday reported a 7 percent gain in fourth-quarter profit and a 21 percent upswing for the year amid strong demand for its premium spirits. The Louisville-based liquor company also said favorable foreign-exchange …

BAGHDAD – It’s not Wall Street, but it does have its moments. If the concept of buying low and selling high ever excited people, it excites them in Baghdad. In less than one year, the newly formed Iraqi Stock Exchange (search) has tripled its trading volume, with growth rates unheard …

The powerful new head of the pharmaceutical industry’s biggest lobbying group is calling for changes, but critics remain skeptical. Billy Tauzin, the new CEO of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), says drug companies have lost Americans’ confidence and that the industry would begin working to “regain the …

Consuming more fiber could help people with type 2 diabetes protect their hearts. A study by the maker of a fiber supplement shows that when people with type 2 diabetes used the supplement for 90 days they improved their heart disease risk factors. Specifically, the study showed their total cholesterol, …

ROME, Ga. – A small-town preacher was sentenced to 17 1/2 years in prison Thursday for stealing nearly $9 million from some 1,600 black churches by promising big returns on small investments. Abraham Kennard (search) was also ordered to pay nearly $8 million in restitution and almost $600,000 in back …

SPOKANE, Wash. – Embattled Mayor James West (search) said Monday he will take a leave of absence for a “few weeks” to prepare to defend himself against a newspaper’s allegations of child molestation and that he offered city jobs to men he met online. West told the City Council that …

SANTA MARIA, Calif. – The mother of the boy accusing Michael Jackson (search) of child molestation testified Thursday that she was “sad,” “confused” and “acting” when she said the singer was a father figure to her children. The woman and her children praised Jackson in an videotape recorded on Feb. …

NEW YORK – Citigroup Inc. (C) and Wachovia Corp. (WB), two of the four largest U.S. banks, on Friday reported record quarterly profits, as consumers borrowed more, bad loans declined and costs were kept in check. Citigroup, the largest bank, said first-quarter profit increased 3 percent, while Wachovia, the fourth-largest, …