World/nation briefs

Last update: October 26, 2007 - 7:29 PM

WASHINGTON, D.C.

Mukasey nomination now faces resistance

Some Democratic senators suggested for the first time that they might oppose the nomination of Michael Mukasey as attorney general if he does not make clear that he opposes waterboarding and other harsh interrogation techniques that have been used against terror suspects. Mukasey declined to do so during his confirmation hearings last week. The ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, also expressed concern, saying the nomination could hinge on Mukasey's written response to questions about the Bush administration's anti-terrorism policies.

VIRGINIA

Sports reporter fired for fabrications

A sports reporter has been fired for fabricating stories, the newspaper's executive editor said in a column. An investigation by the News Leader turned up "significant evidence" that Blair J. Parker made up at least four stories and that she plagiarized from others online, Executive Editor Dave Fritz wrote. The Gannett Co. newspaper has a circulation of about 21,000.

MISSOURI

Death penalty in killing of expectant mom

A federal jury in Kansas City decided that a woman convicted of killing an expectant mother and cutting her baby from her womb should receive the death penalty. Lisa Montgomery, 39, was convicted of kidnapping and killing Bobbie Jo Stinnett on Dec. 16, 2004.

NEW YORK

Bogus dentist accused of dumping ill woman

A fake dentist was accused of dumping a critically ill woman outside his office after she lost consciousness during surgery, prosecutors said. Alexander Poperetchny, 47, pleaded not guilty to reckless endangerment and unauthorized practice. Villimin Colleti, 71, was taken to a hospital suffering from heart and brain damage.

SOUTH CAROLINA

Man gets three years for tossing puppy

An incredulous Charleston judge sentenced Javon Patrick Morris, 22, to three years in prison for tossing a 10-week-old puppy off a balcony during an argument with his girlfriend. The Yorkiepoo was injured and had to be put to death.

CHILE

Charges are dropped against Pinochet family

An appeals court dropped charges against former dictator Augusto Pinochet's widow and four of his children. They had been accused of embezzling state money in multimillion-dollar overseas bank accounts. The appeals court also dropped charges against 10 of the late dictator's former associates and aides. The court said the indictments were flawed.

FRANCE

Torture complaint is filed against Rumsfeld

Some U.S. and European rights groups filed a legal complaint in France accusing former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld of responsibility for torture in Iraq and at Guantanamo Bay. The complaint was filed as Rumsfeld arrived in France for a visit. Lawrence Di Rita, former Pentagon spokesman under Rumsfeld, said: "These assertions have no merit."

PHILIPPINES

Ex-President Estrada released after pardon

Free for the first time in 6½ years, ousted President Joseph Estrada thanked his successor for pardoning him and vowed to stay out of "dirty politics" while dedicating the rest of his life to helping the poor. Estrada's release from house arrest was followed by a speech to thousands of cheering supporters in Manila's San Juan district, where he once served as mayor, then a bedside visit to his 102-year-old mother.

PAKISTAN

Extremists behead four security officers

Islamists reportedly captured and beheaded three militiamen and a police officer, while government troops and helicopter gunships attacked the nearby stronghold of a radical cleric in northwestern Pakistan.

CONGO

Rain floods capital; at least 30 are killed

Heavy rains swelled into a torrent of water that swamped the sprawling capital of Kinshasa, killing 30 people in less than 24 hours. The toll was likely to rise, a ministry official said, because relief workers have not been able to reach many neighborhoods.

NEWS SERVICES

Recent Nation stories

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