News of the Day: 1993

Friday, May 4, 2001 | 9:19 a.m.

April 19: Standoff crashes, burns

Story: Fire engulfed a religious cult compound in Waco, Texas, today after FBI agents in an armored vehicle smashed the buildings and pumped tear gas into them in an attempt to end a 51-day standoff.

The fate of Branch Davidian leader David Koresh and the 95 people inside the compound -- believed to include 25 children -- wasn't immediately known.

June 7: Somalia ambush

Story: The Security Council has demanded the arrest of those responsible for the bloody ambush of U.N. peace keepers in Somalia that killed 22 Pakistani soldiers. Three Americans were among the 50 or so soldiers wounded in the attack.

Oct. 15: Resort opens a new era in LV

Story: Seventy years ago explorers opened ancient pyramids in search of riches beyond imagination.

At 4 a.m. today thousands entered the Luxor pyramid on the Las Vegas Strip in hopes of claiming similar wealth.

Oct. 28: Tower tumbles into dust

Story: The Dunes hotel, a hallmark of the Las Vegas skyline for four decades, was imploded Wednesday night into a pile of twisted metal and concrete debris, clearing the way for a new resort.

In a ceremony emceed by Steve Wynn, chairman of Mirage Resorts Inc. and owner of the defunct casino, the 23-story Dunes and its venerable neon sign were leveled by dynamite in a fiery spectacle broadcast live by three local network affiliates and captured on film for an upcoming television show.

Nov. 30: Brady law ends long, hard wait

Story: Declaring that it was "step one in taking our streets back," President Clinton today signed into law the long-fought Brady handgun control bill.

The law requires a five-day waiting period and background check on handgun buyers and will take effect in 90 days.

Dec. 17: MGM puts on a really big show

Story: Merry Christmas, Las Vegas. It's green. It's big. And it promises to help ring in a new era of casinos.

The mammoth MGM Grand Hotel, Casino & Theme Park has 5,005 rooms, more than 170,000 square feet of casino space and a 33-acre theme park.

Celebrities and industry leaders are getting a peek beneath the expensive emerald wrapping today with an afternoon romp through the theme park and a glamorous ribbon-cutting ceremony tonight.