Official: White House sets up interrogation unit
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama has moved more forcefully than ever to abandon Bush administration interrogation policies, approving creation of a special White House unit for questioning terrorism suspects, as Attorney General Eric Holder weighs whether to reopen and pursue prisoner abuse cases. A senior administration official told The Associated Press Monday that Obama has approved establishment of the new unit, to be known as the High-Value Detainee Interrogation Group, which will be overseen by the Naitonal Security Council. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the program has not yet been officially announced.
Reality show contestant found dead in Canada motel
HOPE, British Columbia (AP) - For Ryan Jenkins, life ended in a suicide in a remote Canadian motel room, and police who had sought the reality show contestant in the killing of his ex-wife hunted Monday for someone new: the mysterious woman who accompanied him to his lodgings. Jenkins was accused of killing his ex-wife, a model whose body was so badly mutilated when found in a trash bin outside Los Angeles it had to be identified by her breast implants' serial numbers. He evaded a massive international manhunt for days as he crossed from California into his native Canada.
Shiite groups announce new alliance minus Iraqi PM
BAGHDAD (AP) - Major Shiite groups have formed a new alliance that will exclude the Iraqi prime minister, lawmakers said Monday, a move likely to stoke fears of increasing Iranian influence and shake up the political landscape ahead of January parliamentary elections. The coalition will include the largest Shiite party, the Iranian-backed Supreme Iraqi Islamic Council and anti-U.S. cleric Muqtada al-Sadr's bloc, which could give Tehran deeper influence in Iraq just as U.S. forces begin to withdraw.
Bill downgraded after leaving 2 dead on East Coast
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - The remnants of Hurricane Bill moved out into the Atlantic, forecasters said Monday, a day after the storm's powerful winds churned up waves that were blamed in the deaths of at least two people on the East Coast. A 7-year-old girl died in Maine after she, her father and a 12-year-old girl were swept into the water Sunday off Acadia National Park's Thunder Hole, where tourists often gather to watch waves crash into a crevasse and make a thundering sound while splashing high in the air.
Scotland lawmakers meet on Lockerbie release
EDINBURGH, Scotland (AP) - Scottish legislators held an emergency debate Monday on the government's decision to release the Lockerbie bomber as critics claimed the act could severely damage relations with the United States. The government of First Minister Alex Salmond has faced unrelenting criticism from both the U.S. government and the families of American bombing victims for freeing bomer Abdel Baset al-Megrahi.
Malaysia delays caning of woman who drank beer
KARAI, Malaysia (AP) - Malaysia abruptly granted a Ramadan reprieve to the first Muslim Malay woman to be sentenced to caning for drinking beer, but insisted Monday the thrashing would still take place after the Islamic holy month of fasting. Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno, a 32-year-old mother of two, had been en route to a women's prison for the caning when Islamic officials who took her into custody drove her back home and released her.
Sen. Lieberman to Alec Baldwin: 'Make my day'
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman has a message for actor Alec Baldwin, who is reportedly considering a move to Connecticut to challenge Lieberman in 2012: "Make my day." Lieberman addressed the issue Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union." He says that he respects the "30 Rock" star as an actor and comedian.
Cash for Clunkers program heads into final day
It was a race to the finish for dealers and customers alike as the government's Cash for Clunkers program headed into its final lap on Monday. Over the weekend, car dealers across the country watched their lots grow empty as crowds rushed to trade in gas guzzlers after the government said that the $3 billion rebate program would end at 8 p.m. EDT Monday, two weeks earlier than expected.
Spokeswoman: Lindsay Lohan's LA home broken into
LOS ANGELES (AP) - A publicist for Lindsay Lohan says the "Mean Girls" actress's home in the Hollywood Hills has been burglarized. Spokeswoman Leslie Sloane-Zelnik says Lohan's home was broken into Sunday while the actress and her younger sister, Ali, were away.
Unassisted triple play helps Martinez beat Mets
NEW YORK (AP) - Pedro Martinez was anxiously watching the Phillies lead dwindle on a television in the clubhouse when Eric Bruntlett put an end to his worries with an unassisted triple play. Bruntlett became the second player in major league history to get the final three outs on one play without any help, preserving Philadelphia's 9-7 win over the Mets and making Martinez a winner in his return to New York on Sunday.
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