World News Tonight Preview

Feb. 27 -- Good afternoon.

We'll begin this evening's broadcast with the two new reports that present the clearest picture yet of the extent of sexual abuse by the Roman Catholic clergy in the United States. The reports found that over the last 50 years, more than 10,000 children claimed they were molested by priests and that 4 percent of priests, almost 4,400, have been accused of child abuse. Tonight, Ron Claiborne will have more on the report's findings.http://abcnews.go.com/wire/US/ap20040227_520.html

In Haiti today, the capital is in chaos and encircled by rebels seeking to topple President Aristide. Aristide is also under pressure from the Bush Administration and the French government to resign. Meanwhile, Pentagon officials are considering the possibility of sending warships with thousands of marines to Haiti to guard against a possible refugee crisis and evacuate American citizens if it comes to that. Jeffrey Kofman is there and will bring us the latest. http://abcnews.go.com/wire/World/ap20040227_1441.html

Recently, the Los Angeles Police Department found itself in the midst of a very bad episode of reality television. Thousands of L.A.-area viewers were watching a live broadcast of a car chase, which ended in the shooting death of the suspect. The LAPD is now investigating whether the use of lethal force in this case was justified. Judy Muller reports tonight on the pressure on police, who know they are under the constant glare of the public eye — even as they make split-second, life-and-death decisions.

Finally, we'll have the Person of the Week.

We hope you'll join us.