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 Sunday, January 15
Editor's Note: CNN News Update is a running log of the latest news from CNN World Headquarters, reported by CNN's correspondents, producers and Wires.CNN editors. Hospital: Sharon's family says he moved his eyelids JERUSALEM (CNN) -- Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon moved his eyelids Monday, 12 days after suffering a massive stroke, a hospital statement quoted Sharon's family as saying. Reports on some Israeli Web sites quoted Sharon aides as saying the 77-year-old had opened his eyes, but the statement from Hadassah Hospital denied his eyes had fully opened. The medical significance of the eyelid movement was not clear, the hospital statement said. Sunday, Sharon underwent a tracheotomy to help wean him off a respirator, the hospital said. A tracheotomy is a surgical incision of the trachea through the neck to make an opening for breathing. "The condition of the prime minister continues to be critical and stable," the hospital said in an earlier statement. (Posted 5:14 a.m.) Police kill one of the top commanders of group blamed for New Delhi blasts SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir (CNN) -- One of the main conspirators in the deadly bombings last year in New Delhi was killed Monday in a shootout in northern Kashmir, according to Jammu-Kashmir police. Kashmir Range Police Chief K. Rajendra told CNN that Abu Abdullah, also known as Abu Huzavaifa -- one of the top commanders of Lashkar-e-Taiba, the group blamed for the Oct. 29 blasts in the Indian capital -- was killed when he and other militants engaged in a shootout with Jammu-Kashmir police and Indian security forces. The men were hiding in a home in the northern Kashmiri village of Khour, about 19 miles from Srinagar, the police chief said. (Posted 4:20 a.m.) U.S., EU3, Russian and Chinese reps to meet on next step in dealing with Iran's nuclear program LONDON (CNN) -- Representatives of the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia and China are to meet on Monday to discuss the next step in dealing with Iran's resumption of its nuclear research program, as Tehran threatened to force oil prices higher if United Nations sanctions are imposed against it. U.S. Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns and senior officials from the so-called "EU3" -- Britain, Germany and France -- as well as representatives from China and Russia will hold consultations on the situation in London, following a recommendation last week by the EU3 that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) refer Iran to the United Nations Security Council for its non-compliance in restarting its nuclear program. Iran resumed operations at its Natanz uranium enrichment plant last week and insists its activities are only aimed at research for a civil nuclear energy program, but the United States and much of Europe are concerned the activities are a guise for building a nuclear weapon. Iran's nuclear program was also one of the main subjects expected to be addressed in talks Monday between German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Sunday, Iran's foreign ministry spokesman said that even if the IAEA holds an emergency meeting to discuss referring Tehran to the U.N. Security Council, Iran will not change its stance. If the case is turned over to it, the U.N. Security Council could impose sanctions against Tehran until it complies with certain demands. Tehran suggested Sunday that if that happens, it may respond by manipulating world oil prices. (Posted 3:40 a.m.) Cheney to add Kuwait to planned stops on Middle East trip (CNN) -- Vice President Dick Cheney will add a stop in Kuwait to his itinerary for his trip to the Middle East, his office announced early Monday. Cheney left Washington Sunday to begin his voyage. In addition to visits to Egypt and Saudi Arabia, Cheney will now make a stop in Kuwait, where he'll represent the United States in paying respects to the family of Emir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, who died Sunday at the age of 77. The late emir was a key U.S. ally in the war on terror. According to a statement from the vice-president's office, Cheney will meet with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah on Tuesday. The visits to Egypt and Saudi Arabia were originally scheduled for December, Cheney's office said, but were "postponed because he had to return to Washington to vote on the budget," a statement said. (Posted 3:36 a.m.) Iraqi police, army targeted in Monday attacks BAGHDAD (CNN) -- Two Iraqi police officers were killed and two injured Monday in attacks around the Iraqi capital that seemed to target the country's security forces, an official with the Baghdad emergency police told CNN. The official said one Iraqi police officer was gunned down in the al-Adhmiya neighborhood in northern Baghdad as he made his way to work around 8 a.m. The other police officer was killed at the same time but in the neighborhood of al-Shulaa, in northwestern Baghdad, the official said. In western Baghdad's al-Yarmouk neighborhood, a roadside bomb exploded near an Iraqi police patrol, wounding two police officers, the official said. Meanwhile, a roadside bomb struck an Iraqi army convoy Monday morning in eastern Baghdad's al-Baladiyat neighborhood, wounding five people, including four Iraqi soldiers, according to the official. Another roadside bomb exploded Monday morning in central Baghdad near a convoy of SUVs, the kind usually used by Westerners, contractors and diplomats, the official said. Police said one vehicle was damaged in the explosion. There are no reports of casualties, the official said. (Posted 3:35 a.m.) Ney yields committee chairmanship amid corruption probe WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Rep. Bob Ney gave up his chairmanship of the House Administration Committee on Sunday amid an influence-peddling probe that has roiled the Republican party, but he predicted the investigation would clear his name. Ney was under heavy pressure from House Speaker Dennis Hastert to give up his chairmanship after Ney was implicated in the scandal surrounding lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who pleaded guilty to corruption charges Jan. 3. In a statement Sunday, the six-term Ohio Republican said the decision "was not an easy one and one I do not make lightly." "Unfortunately, it has become clear to me in recent days that the false allegations made against me have become a distraction to the important work of the House Republican Conference and the important work that remains ahead for the House Administration Committee," Ney said. "My love and respect for this institution and the committee is too great for me to allow this distraction to interfere with our ability to get this important work done." (Posted 10:15 p.m.) Bachelet declared victor in Chile's presidential race SANTIAGO, Chile (CNN) -- Michelle Bachelet became the first woman to win Chile's presidency Sunday, with the onetime political prisoner beating opponent Sebastian Pinera in a runoff. Bachelet, a socialist, serves as defense minister in the government of outgoing President Ricardo Lagos. With more than 99 percent of precincts reporting, she had 53.5 percent of the vote to Pinera's 46.5 percent. Bachelet spent five years in exile after the 1973 coup that brought Gen. Augusto Pinochet to power. Her father, an air force general, was tortured and killed after the U.S.-backed coup, and Bachelet herself was tortured before being sent into exile in Australia. (Posted 10:10 p.m.) Specter: no 'blank check' for Bush over eavesdropping WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Congress is unlikely to give President Bush a "blank check" that would authorize electronic eavesdropping on Americans without a warrant, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee said Sunday. Sen. Arlen Specter said he did not believe the 2001 congressional resolution authorizing retaliation for the al Qaeda attacks on New York and Washington trumped a federal law that set up a special court to approve intelligence-related wiretaps, as Bush aides have argued. He vowed his committee would look into the matter in hearings set for February. But Specter acknowledged that the commander-in-chief may have "collateral, different powers" in wartime. "That's a very knotty question that I'm not prepared to answer on a Sunday sound bite," the Republican from Pennsylvania told ABC's "This Week." (Posted 6:55 p.m.) Florida boy dies in hospital after police shooting (CNN) -- A 15-year-old boy shot by police at a Florida middle school died Sunday after two days in a hospital, the county sheriff's department announced Sunday. Christopher David Penley died shortly before 5 a.m. Sunday, said Lt. Dennis Lemma (prono: LEE-ma), a spokesman for the Seminole County Sheriff's Department. "We offer sincere condolences to the Penley family during their time of bereavement," a statement on the department's Web site said. (Posted 6:55 p.m.) Senator: U.S. had little choice but to launch Pakistan strike WASHINGTON (CNN) -- U.S. politicians expressed regret Sunday over the weekend killings of 18 civilians along Pakistan's border with Afghanistan, but said the airstrike was justified by the erroneous belief that a top al Qaeda leader was among the group, which included women and children. "Now, it's a regrettable situation, but what else are we supposed to do?" Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., asked rhetorically. "It's like the wild, wild west out there. The Pakistani border's a real problem." (Posted 6:55 p.m.) Mine disaster survivor's condition upgraded to serious MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (CNN) -- Randy McCloy, the lone survivor of the Sago Mine disaster, has been upgraded from critical to serious condition, but remains comatose, his doctors said Sunday. In a statement issued by West Virginia University Hospitals, Dr. Larry Roberts said the 26-year-old's coal miner's heart and liver functions have improved steadily over the past several days and his muscles are no longer deteriorating. McCloy has been breathing on his own for more than 48 hours, the statement said. But he remains in intensive care "and still has serious medical issues," including impaired kidney function, Roberts said in the statement. "His neurological condition remains stable." (Posted 6:55 p.m.) Iran says it wouldn't be swayed by IAEA meeting TEHRAN (CNN) -- Even if the International Atomic Energy Agency holds an urgent meeting to discuss turning over the Iranian nuclear standoff to the U.N. Security Council, Iran will not change its stance, the Iranian foreign ministry said Sunday. "Even if the meeting is held, we will defend our rights. Iran believes that we can come to a solution through talks, and there is no legal basis for referring Iran's dossier to the Security Council," said foreign ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi. "We are not afraid at all if referred to the Security Council," he said. Later, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said his nation is prepared to cooperate with the IAEA. He reiterated that Iran's nuclear activities are for "peaceful" purposes, and that the "language of threat is not a good choice in diplomacy." (Posted 2:41 p.m.) Sharon tracheotomy successful JERUSALEM (CNN) -- Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon underwent a tracheotomy Sunday evening to help wean him off a respirator as he lies in a coma, Hadassah hospital said. A tracheotomy is a surgical incision of the trachea through the neck to make an opening for breathing. "The condition of the prime minister continues to be critical and stable," the hospital said in an earlier statement, adding that Sunday evening Sharon would undergo a CT scan followed by the tracheotomy. The hospital later announced the procedure was successful, and the CT scan showed the same results as the scan conducted on Thursday. The Thursday scan showed that Sharon no longer needed a tube to drain excess blood from his brain, doctors said. (Posted 1:39 p.m.) Iran announces 'conference' on Holocaust TEHRAN (CNN) -- Iran, whose president has labeled the attempt by Nazi Germany to exterminate Jews during World War II a "myth" and called for the destruction of Israel, announced Sunday it will hold a conference on the Holocaust. "There will be a conference that will research the topic of the Holocaust and all its dimensions in the future," said a statement on the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA). The statement did not say when the meeting would take place or who would be involved, but said it would be sponsored by Iran's foreign ministry and the Organization of the Islamic Conference "and in consultation with other countries to pursue this issue." Last month, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said in a speech, "They have invented a myth that Jews were massacred, and place this above God, religions and the prophets." (Posted 12:29 p.m.) Lott to announce plans Tuesday WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Sen. Trent Lott will announce Tuesday in his home state of Mississippi whether he will seek re-election, he said Sunday. "I spent the Christmas holidays in my state visiting with the people that I love the most, my relatives, my neighbors, people on the Mississippi Gulf Coast that were devastated by Katrina," the 64-year-old Republican told CNN's "Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer." "It's been a complicated decision because of all that we've been through in the last year. But my heart is with the people there, and I'm going to do everything I can to be helpful to them as long as it's necessary, and I have that capability. (Posted 12:28 p.m.) Bremer: 'Trend is right' in Iraq WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The former U.S. administrator in Iraq said Sunday he had differences with Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld over how to handle the occupation, but painted a rosier picture of those differences than in some passages of his book, "My Year in Iraq." Paul Bremer, appearing on NBC's "Meet the Press," said the key improvement in the situation in Iraq is that "we've changed the way we're training" Iraqi troops. "As they get better, we'll be able to reorient what we're doing," he said. "The trend is right. We'll see how it goes." Bremer added that any withdrawal of American troops "shouldn't be driven by anything other than what's going on on the ground." (Posted 10:52 a.m.) 2 Afghans, 1 Canadian soldier killed in suicide attack (CNN) -- Two Afghan troops and one Canadian soldier were killed Sunday in Kandahar and as many as 13 people were wounded when a suicide car bomber drove into a Canadian convoy and detonated, according to military and government officials. Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin, speaking in Quebec, announced that one Canadian soldier was killed and three were wounded. Military officials in the region said two Afghan troops were killed. Kandahar Police Chief Abdul Malik Wahidi said 10 other people wounded were Afghans. (Posted 10:51 a.m.) Bird flu suspected in Turkish death (CNN) -- Turkish officials suspect bird flu in the death of a 12-year-old girl in Van, Dr. Huseyin Avni Sahin, chief physician at the Van University Hospital, said Sunday. Sahin said the girl, Fatma Ozcan (pronounced OZ- JAHN), died Sunday afternoon of bird flu-like symptoms. In a press release, Turkish health officials said the girl's brother, 5-year-old Muhammad Ozcan, has tested positive for avian flu. So far, 19 human cases have been reported in nine of the country's 81 provinces. Three of those cases have died. (Posted 10:49 a.m.) Israel allows voting in east Jerusalem, but no Hamas campaigning JERUSALEM (CNN) -- Israel's Cabinet on Sunday unanimously approved a plan to allow voting in east Jerusalem in the upcoming Palestinian legislative elections. But the Cabinet said Hamas, a Palestinian militant group that calls for Israel's destruction, will not be allowed to campaign in east Jerusalem. Concern over Hamas' participation -- and the prospect that it could win many votes in the first Palestinian parliamentary elections in a decade -- had led Israel to warn earlier that voting would not be allowed in east Jerusalem, which is under Israeli control and is mostly populated by Arab Palestinians. (Posted 10:48 a.m.) 500 security detainees released from Abu Ghraib prison BAGHDAD (CNN) -- About 500 security detainees were released from Abu Ghraib prison near Baghdad on Sunday, the U.S. military said. The detainees chosen for release were not those convicted of violent crimes such as bombing, torture, kidnapping or murder, the military said in a statement, had served their time and "all have admitted their crimes, renounced violence and pledged to be good citizens of a democratic Iraq." Their cases were reviewed by a board of Iraqi and Coalition officials, and they were targeted for release "in light of Iraq's ongoing efforts to create peace and stability and build a brighter future for its citizens." (Posted 7:22 a.m.) Kuwait's Emir dies at 77; crown prince to succeed him (CNN) -- Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, a key U.S. ally in the war against Iraq and a notable supporter of women's rights in the tiny Gulf country, died Sunday, according to a government statement. He was 77. The emir had led the nation since 1977, but had been treated for heart problems and other health issues in recent years. The Kuwaiti government said later Sunday the emir's successor will be Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah, formerly the crown prince. The announcement took place at a Cabinet meeting. The new emir has one year to announce who will be the new crown prince. The official mourning period for the emir will be 40 days, and the government will shut down for three days in his honor, the statement said. (Updated 6:28 a.m.) Stardust mission returns dust from a comet's tail to Earth (CNN) -- NASA's Stardust mission to bring to Earth a "sample return" capsule filled with interstellar dust particles collected from the tail of a comet came to a conclusion Sunday with a successful landing at the Air Force Utah Test and Training Range. Applause swept the mission control room at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, Calif., as "Touchdown!" was announced over the communications channel at 3:10 a.m. local time (5:10 a.m. ET). At 12:57 a.m. ET, the spacecraft flew by Earth and released the 100-pound capsule containing the samples. It entered the atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean, traveling almost 29,000 miles per hour, and crossed over Oregon and Nevada on its way to its landing zone on the Utah salt flats west of Salt Lake City. There were early reports at JPL mission control that skywatchers in Nevada saw the capsule streak across the sky. As the sky was dark for the entire descent, NASA tracked the capsule using infrared cameras. (Posted 5:55 a.m.) Presiding judge in Saddam trial wants to step down from post BAGHDAD (CNN) -- The chief judge in Saddam Hussein's war crimes trial handed in his resignation as presiding judge Sunday, a high-ranking Iraqi High Tribunal official told CNN. A court official said Sunday a letter of resignation from Rizgar Amin had been received. The head of the tribunal was studying the letter, but has not decided whether to accept Amin's resignation. Amin wants to remain a judge with the tribunal, according to the official, who did not say why Amin wants to step down as presiding judge. Former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark, a member of the defense team, has criticized the lack of protection for the Iraqi attorneys and their families. Since the trial began in October, two defense attorneys were killed. Amin's own security has been compromised -- he is the only judge whose name has been revealed. He has appeared on video of the proceedings in spite of the security risk. (Posted 5:55 a.m.) Israeli Cabinet approves plan to allow East Jerusalem Palestinians to vote in elections JERUSALEM (CNN) -- Israel's Cabinet on Sunday gave its unanimous approval to a proposal allowing Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem to vote in the upcoming Palestinian legislative elections, a senior source in the prime minister's office told CNN. Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who has assumed the post following the massive stroke and hospitalization of Ariel Sharon, presented the plan to the Cabinet. Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom had been among those opposing the plan, saying the vote should not be allowed because the radical Palestinian group Hamas -- which publicly supports the destruction of the state of Israel -- is participating in the elections. But Olmert had said the proposal should go forward because Hamas candidates had not entered East Jerusalem and were not campaigning there. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas had threatened to cancel the Jan. 25 elections if Israel blocked East Jerusalem Palestinian residents from participating. -- From CNN Producer Shira Medding (Posted 4:26 a.m.) Israeli AG: Sharon not declared permanently incapacitated at this time JERUSALEM (CNN) -- Israel's attorney general has decided not to declare Prime Minister Ariel Sharon permanently incapacitated at this time, and Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will retain his "acting" status, possibly until after planned March elections, Justice Department sources told CNN Sunday. Attorney General Meni Mazuz was to meet with Olmert later Sunday to convey that decision, the sources said. Sharon remained in critical but stable condition in Jerusalem's Hadassah Hospital, where he was taken Jan. 4 after suffering what doctors determined to be a massive stroke that resulted in brain hemorrhaging. He has undergone 13 hours of surgery to reduce bleeding in his brain, and doctors earlier this week began the process of slowly lowering his dosage of anesthesia to bring him out of a medically-induced coma. During Sharon's hospitalization, his powers as prime minister were transferred to Olmert, his long-time loyalist and a former Jerusalem mayor. -- From CNN Producer Shira Medding (Posted 3:44 a.m.) IDF: Palestinian woman, son killed in Nablus firefight JERUSALEM (CNN) -- A 50-year-old Palestinian woman and her 20-year-old son were killed Sunday in a firefight that ensued after the man pointed a rifle at Israeli troops, according to an Israel Defense Forces spokesman. The IDF said it was conducting operations in Nablus in the West Bank and identified a number of armed men in a house. One of the men was pointing a gun at the Israeli troops, prompting a soldier to fire a bullet towards him, the IDF said. A firefight resulted, and the armed man and his mother were shot and killed. Three Palestinians were wounded, the Israeli military said. Soldiers searched the home where the firefight took place, and found an M16 assault rifle along with a pistol and bullets, the IDF said. --From CNN Producer Shira Medding (Posted 3:24 a.m.) Thousands gather across Pakistan to protest U.S. air strike LAHORE, Pakistan (CNN) -- Thousands of people turned out in cities across the country Sunday to demonstrate against Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf and the United States in the wake of a U.S. air strike that killed 18 people on Friday, as Pakistani parties called for more demonstrations. Pakistan's religious party alliance, MMA, called for protests. They were joined by MQM (Mutihada Qaumi Movement), a key alliance party in Musharraf's government which has several federal ministers in the Cabinet. Many of the protesters are angry at Musharraf because they feel he is not doing enough to keep the U.S. from such actions as the air strike. Gatherings were taking place in cities including Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Karachi, and were set to continue all day on Sunday. On Saturday, Pakistan's Foreign Office said it had lodged a protest with the U.S. ambassador to Pakistan over the strike in a remote Pakistani village near the Afghan border, and said the incident was being "thoroughly investigated" and will be addressed in the next meeting of the Tripartite Commission -- a group made up of senior military and diplomatic representatives from coalition forces, Pakistan and Afghanistan. -- CNN Producer Syed Mohsin Naqvi contributed to this report. (Posted 2:54 a.m.) Lawyer: Student shot by SWAT team "clinically brain dead." LONGWOOD, Fla. (CNN) - The 15-year-old boy shot by police Friday morning after aiming what appeared to be a lethal weapon at a SWAT team member was "clinically brain dead" Saturday evening and was being kept on life support Saturday so his organs could be harvested for transplants, according to a lawyer and family friend. The boy's father wanted "to save other children elsewhere" with the organ donations, said Jennings "Bucky" Hurt, a long time friend of the family. The father, Ralph Penley, was "extremely angry" that police ignored his plea to speak with his son, Christopher, during the standoff even after he told them his son had a black pellet gun that resembled a real weapon, family lawyer Mark Nation said. Seminole County Police said Penley had threatened classmates at Millwee Middle School in Longwood, Fla.before the confrontation with police, who later discovered the pistol he was wielding was a toy pellet gun painted to resemble a 9-mm handgun. (Updated 12:02 a.m.) 
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