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 Saturday, March 25
Editor's Note: The CNN Wire is a running log of the latest news from CNN World Headquarters, reported by CNN's correspondents and producers, and The CNN Wire editors. Indian soldier killed in Kashmir ambush SRINAGAR, Kashmir (CNN) -- Suspected militants ambushed an Indian Army convoy just south of the capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir Sunday morning, killing one Indian soldier and wounding two others, according to Indian Army sources. One militant was killed in the firefight, which began at 9 a.m. local time as the heavily-armed convoy passed through the town of Pampore, military sources said. The highway, which the convoy was following on its trip from Srinagar to Jammu, was closed Sunday while the Army searched for militants. --From CNN's Ram Ramgopal (Posted 12:45 a.m.) Death toll in China mine flooding rises to 23 BEIJING (CNN) -- The death toll from a Chinese coal mine flood last week has risen to 23, the country's state-run Xinhua news agency reported Saturday, with five people still missing. The flooding took place on March 18 in Linxin County in north China's Shanxi Province. Rescue work was continuing, Xinhua said, but rescuers said it would take at least another two days before a search for the five missing people can be launched because water and silt remained in the mine shaft. The flooding occurred as 58 miners were working underground at the Fanjiashan Coal Mine. Thirty managed to escape. A local government official told Xinhua relatives of those killed will receive 200,000 yuan, or about $24,600, in compensation. The cause of the flooding was under investigation. (Posted 11:12 p.m.) Alabama church destroyed by suspicious blaze (CNN) -- An Alabama church was destroyed early Saturday in a fire that authorities are calling suspicious. The state fire marshal's office was notified about 3:30 a.m. of the blaze at Faith Church of the Nazarene in Hayden, 25 miles north of Birmingham near Interstate 65 in Blount County, fire marshal spokesman Ragan Ingram told CNN. No one was injured. Investigators plan to be on the scene of the fire Sunday along with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Ingram said. Authorities believe they have isolated the area where the blaze began, he said, but did not have further details. Earlier this month, three Birmingham college students were arrested in connection with a string of church fires reported in February. They remain in police custody facing state and federal charges. (Posted 9:48 p.m.) Police seek man in bombings at homes of former co-workers (CNN) -- Authorities on Saturday were seeking a Grand Junction, Colo., man in connection with five explosive devices placed at the homes of his former co-workers from a company that operates an airport control tower. No one was injured in the Friday incidents, but the bombs damaged two homes, police said. Grand Junction police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said Saturday a federal arrest warrant was obtained for Robert L. Burke, 54, "for alleged violations of federal explosives laws." The five devices were placed at the homes of Serco employees in and around Grand Junction, authorities said. Serco, a worldwide company headquartered in Britain, contracts with the Federal Aviation Administration to run air traffic control towers at 54 airports, according to its Web site. One of those is Grand Junction's Walker Field. Grant Junction police Sgt. Paul Quimby told CNN Burke was terminated from Serco in 2004. (Updated 9:46 p.m.) 7 dead in Seattle incident; 6 shot, suspected shooter kills self (CNN) -- A man left an early-morning party at a Seattle home Saturday before returning minutes later with a shotgun and handgun and opening fire, killing six people before turning one of the guns on himself as police closed in, authorities said. Two others were injured, one critically, in the incident about 7 a.m. Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske did not release the suspect's name, but said he was believed to be in his late 20s. A computer search showed he had a limited criminal history and no history of violent crimes, he said. The victims included four males and two females, ranging in age from early teens to mid-20s. Authorities have interviewed more than 20 people who were attending the "zombie party," he said. Marijuana and alcohol were available at the residence, Kerlikowske said, something he called "troubling" given the young age of some victims. "We do have some concerns about it," he said. (Posted 8:58 p.m.) Israelis shoot Palestinian attempting to cross border JERUSALEM (CNN) -- Israeli troops fatally shot a Palestinian early Sunday after he was seen crawling on the ground attempting to enter Israel from Gaza. An Israel Defense Forces spokeswoman said the Palestinian was shot was seen crawling toward a security fence about midnight. The IDF is on high alert because of general elections scheduled for Tuesday. Palestinian security officials said the IDF arrested three other men trying to cross into Israel, but the IDF spokeswoman said she was not familiar with that information and that the man was alone when shot. The IDF said it launched an aerial strike early Sunday about against four Gaza access routes to open areas, saying the areas are used for Palestinians to fire rockets at Israel. One rocket landed near a power station, the IDF spokeswoman said. Palestinian security officials said the Israeli F-16 appeared to be firing a rocket at a car thought to be carrying Palestinian militants, but the car escaped unscathed. -- Journalist Talal Abu-Rahmi contributed to this report. (Updated 7:17 p.m.) Wife of slain minister returned to Tennessee (CNN) -- The wife of a Tennessee minister gunned down in his home earlier this week was returned to Tennessee on Saturday, where she will be arraigned Monday on charges of first-degree murder, authorities said. Mary Winkler, 32, confessed to the crime after being apprehended Thursday in Alabama with their three young daughters, telling Alabama Bureau of Investigation agents that she planned the murder of her husband, Matthew Winkler, 31, according to her arrest warrant. McNairy County Sheriff Ricky Roten said she will be arraigned at 1:30 p.m. Monday. The body of Matthew Winkler, a minister at the Fourth Street Church of Christ in Selmer, a small town in the southwestern corner of the state, was found Wednesday night by church members, who went to his home after he failed to show up for a mid-week service. He had been shot in the back with a shotgun, authorities said. (Posted 5:52 p.m.) Opposition leader arrested during demonstration over elections in Belarus; State Dept. condemns violence against protesters MINSK, Belarus (CNN) -- Belarussian authorities arrested an opposition leader and the press secretary of another leader Saturday during a crowded demonstration over the nation's recent election, rally organizers said. The arrests came on a day of more clashes between police and protesters, some of whom chanted "freedom" and accused the government of "fascism." Police sprayed tear gas. Some protesters were seen falling over. "They were crushing people, crushing young people. It's impossible, people are falling down already. They will be killed this way," yelled one protester amid the clashes. The State Department condemned the government's actions, saying in a statement, "The United States deplores today's use of force by Belarussian authorities against peaceful demonstrators in Minsk. We express our deep concern for the individuals who were injured and detained." The nation's presidential election this month has drawn international condemnation, with the United States and the European Union saying the government blocked a truly democratic vote through use of state power and detentions. (Posted 5:51 p.m.) Thousands rally against immigration bill as Bush addresses 'emotional debate' LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- An estimated half-million demonstrators packed streets of Los Angeles on Saturday, protesting immigration legislation that is expected to face a heated battle in the Senate next week. Congregating in front of Los Angeles City Hall, a crowd estimated at 500,000 immigrants and supporters slammed the legislation designed to crack down on illegal entry into the United States. Los Angeles police said there were no reports of incidents or arrests. Hours earlier, President Bush discussed the "emotional debate," and pushed his controversial guest-worker program. "America does not have to choose between being a welcoming society and being a lawful society. We can be both at the same time. As we debate the immigration issue, we must remember there are hard-working individuals, doing jobs that Americans will not do, who are contributing to the economic vitality of our country," he said in his weekly radio address. (Updated 6:48 p.m.) Ahmadinejad: Iran willing to speak with U.S. about Iraq (CNN) -- Iran is willing to hold talks with the United States about Iraq, the Iranian government said Saturday. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that although Iran does not trust the Bush administration, it will hold the talks with the United States about Iraq because doing so is in the best interest of Iraqis and the Muslim world, according to a report from the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA). During a meeting with Syrian First-Vice President Farouk al-Shara, Ahmadinejad said the United States has repeatedly called for talks with Iran on Iraq, and Iran has agreed provided that the interests of Iraqis and the Muslim world are guaranteed, IRNA reported. (Posted: 3:48 p.m.) Afghan Cabinet meets amid controversy over convert (CNN) -- The Afghan Cabinet met on Saturday amid the uproar over the threatened execution of an Afghan Muslim who converted to Christianity. Western nations, which have supported the new Afghan government monetarily, have been leaning on the government to free Abdul Rahman, and a government source familiar with his case said on Friday he would be released in the coming days. The outcome of the Cabinet meeting hasn't been made public. Religious leaders have been meeting with Cabinet officials and with Afghan President Hamid Karzai. Privately, people close to the government have said Karzai wants to take personal charge of the issue and is planning to sort it out in the next two days. -- Journalist Tom Coghlan contributed to this report. (Posted 2:54 p.m.) Buck Owens, country music performer, dead at 76 (CNN) -- Buck Owens -- the famed country music performer known for his work on the popular TV show "Hee Haw," for memorable hits such as "Act Naturally" and for a famed twangy guitar style -- has died. He was 76, according to family spokesman Jim Shaw. Shaw said Owens died early this morning after performing at his own venue in Bakersfield, Calif. -- The Crystal Palace. Despite health problems, he continued to perform in Bakersfield, about 100 miles north of Los Angeles, and made his home there. He got on stage even though he was frustrated he wasn't able to sing as well as he had in the past, Shaw said. Owens was not feeling week after the performance Saturday. Shaw know the cause of death, but said Owens had been experiencing health problems recently. (Updated 2:53 p.m.) Abbas threatens to oust Hamas government GAZA CITY (CNN) -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas threatened Saturday to bring down the Hamas Palestinian government if it damages what he considers Palestinian interests. In a letter to Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas leader and incoming prime minister, Abbas said he hopes he will "not have to use his constitutional powers," but may if "Palestinian interests and people are threatened," said Saeb Erakat, a Palestinian official close to Abbas. (Posted 1:15 p.m.) 7 dead in Seattle incident; 6 shot, suspected shooter kills self (CNN) -- Six people were found dead in a Seattle house on Saturday morning, and another person, believed to be the shooting suspect, shot himself when police confronted him, police told CNN. Two people were being treated at a local trauma center. The incident took place in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, where there had been some kind of a party at the house. (Posted 12:55 p.m.) 9 killed in Iraq violence BAGHDAD (CNN) -- Nine people have been killed in Iraq violence on Saturday, including the fatal drive-by shooting of a Sunni imam in Baghdad. Also, seven slain people were found in the capital over the last 24 hours, a common occurrence in Baghdad since Shiite-Sunni sectarian violence erupted last month. South of Baghdad, in the Babil province town of Mahmoudiya, four people were killed and 13 others were wounded when six mortar rounds landed in a residential area. The incident took place at 4 p.m. Earlier on Saturday, a bomb that was hidden inside a booth used by traffic police exploded as a minibus passed by in southeast Baghdad's Waziriya neighborhood, police said. Four Iraqi civilians were killed and two were wounded by the blast, police said. That incident took place at 6:40 a.m. Six tortured and strangled bodies were found by U.S. soldiers inside a parked car in the Khadraa section of western Baghdad Friday evening, Baghdad police said. Also Saturday morning, an unidentified body was found in the Saydiya neighborhood of southwest Baghdad. Police said it showed signs of torture and there was a gunshot to the head. (Posted 11:25 a.m.) Sri Lanka: 8 feared dead after 'suicide-style' attack on naval craft (CNN) -- A Sri Lankan officer and seven sailors were missing and feared dead off the coast of the Asian island nation in what the Sri Lankan government calls a "suicide-style" attack. The incident took place on Saturday. Sri Lankan military sources said one of three fast-attack crafts patrolling the seas was severely damaged when a fishing trawler exploded as the craft approached it. Eleven other personnel aboard the craft were rescued by fisherman and brought ashore, including the commanding officer. The government didn't accuse suspected Tamil Tiger rebels of carrying out the attack. However, Sri Lankan naval sources say they will lodge a complaint on Sunday over the incident with the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission. It is a team of Scandinavian monitors tasked with overseeing the ceasefire between the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. (Posted 11:25 a.m.) Nigeria: Liberian authorities are free to detain exiled leader Charles Taylor (CNN) -- The Nigerian government on Saturday agreed to allow Liberian authorities to detain exiled former leader Charles Taylor and take him back to Liberia. This is the word from Femi Fani-Kayode, a spokesman for the Nigerian government, and it comes after meeting was held late Friday between the Nigerians and the Liberians. Liberia's newly installed president, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, had asked Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo to hand over Taylor, the former Liberian president in exile who faces war crimes charges. (Posted 11:30 a.m.) Villepin offers to pay laid-off workers who accept 3-months job training program PARIS (CNN) -- Under fire from students and workers over a controversial new labor law, French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin on Saturday offered a new idea to appease opponents, a plan to pay three months of salary to laid-off workers who participate in a three-month job training program. He also reiterated a proposal to review the measure six months after it goes into effect. Villepin passed along the proposals during a meeting at his office with representatives from two student unions. The measure is expected to take effect in April. However, its implementation may be delayed because it is being challenged in court. Earlier, the leaders of four other high school and university student unions refused an invitation from Villepin for a meeting over the controversial new law. (Posted 9:05 a.m.) Freed hostage Norman Kember back home in London LONDON (CNN) -- Norman Kember, held hostage in Iraq for four months before he was freed two days ago, has returned home to Britain. News footage showed Kember arriving at Heathrow Airport in London on Saturday afternoon. Kember was one of four members of the Christian Peacemaker Teams abducted on Nov. 26. The others were American Tom Fox and Canadians James Loney and Harmeet Sooden. Fox was found slain two weeks ago. Kember, Loney and Sooden were rescued on Thursday in a coalition military operation in western Baghdad. The Canadians were flying on Saturday from Baghdad to Dubai and then plan to head back home to Canada. (Posted 8:10 a.m.) Russia denies it gave Iraq info on U.S. strategy after 2003 invasion MOSCOW (CNN) -- Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service denied a claim in a new Pentagon report that Russia's ambassador to Iraq may have passed on to Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein information about U.S. strategy and troop movements as U.S. troops moved toward Baghdad in April 2003. "Such unfounded accusations have been voiced regularly. We do not see fit to comment on these insinuations," a Russian spokesman said Saturday. According to the Pentagon report, the Russians claimed to have collected the information from sources inside the U.S. Central Command, headquartered in Doha, Qatar. However, one of the Pentagon officials involved in putting together the report, Brig. Gen. Anthony Cucolo, told CNN Friday that there has been no corroboration of a Russian mole inside Central Command. Also, key details in the information purportedly forwarded to Hussein by the Russians were wrong -- and, anyway, the Iraqi dictator ignored the intelligence in formulating his losing war strategy, Cucolo said. (Posted 7:10 a.m.) U.S. soldier killed in southern Afghanistan fight (CNN) -- A U.S. soldier was killed and another was wounded in a battle with about 20 Taliban fighters in southern Afghanistan Saturday, the U.S. military said. An Afghan National Army Soldier was also wounded, the military said. The battle, which included small arms fire and close-air support aircraft, took place in the Sangin District of Helmand Province in southern Afghanistan, the military said. The wounded U.S. and ANA soldiers were evacuated to a Coalition medical facility in Kandahar Province for treatment, the military said. (Posted 4:34 a.m.) Justice Dept. responds to congressional eavesdropping questions WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. Justice Department late Friday told Congress the controversial NSA monitoring program aimed at eavesdropping on terrorists does not specifically carve out exceptions for communications which are ordinarily considered privileged including calls between doctors and their patients or lawyers and their clients. The Justice Department sought to quietly respond to dozens of pending questions from lawmakers by releasing the extensive written answers after the close of business on Friday. But critics promptly seized on the administration replies, and, in particular, targeted the issue of intercepting privileged phone calls. In response to a question from House Judiciary Committee Democrats inquiring whether any communications involving doctor-patient or attorney-client calls were captured by the NSA program, the Justice Department did not rule it out. (Posted 12:15 a.m.) 
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