Ailing U.S. Chief Justice to Miss More Oral Arguments

 U.S. Chief Justice William Rehnquist, who has thyroid cancer, will miss his fourth month of oral arguments when the Supreme Court returns next week, but he will continue to decide cases, a court spokeswoman said on Friday. Spokeswoman Kathy Arberg said Rehnquist, 80, who was diagnosed with the cancer in October, will not take part in the court's upcoming argument sessions when the justices return to the bench on Tuesday after a four-week recess. She said problems with secretions continued to prevent Rehnquist's return to the bench. Rehnquist, who has undergone radiation and chemotherapy, also has a tracheotomy tube to help him breathe. Rehnquist's only public appearance since being diagnosed with cancer was to swear in President Bush last month for his second term in office. [more]