Israeli minister supports kidnapping of Ahmadinejad

Israeli minister supports kidnapping of Ahmadinejad

JERUSALEM — An Israeli Cabinet minister and one-time spy who helped kidnap Nazi mastermind Adolf Eichmann and bring him to trial said Tuesday the same tactic could be used on Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Ahmadinejad is feared and reviled in Israel because of his repeated calls to wipe the Jewish state off the map. His aggressive pursuit of nuclear technology has only fueled Israel’s fears.

“A man like Ahmadinejad who threatens genocide has to be brought for trial in The Hague,” said Rafi Eitan, referring to the international war crimes tribunal in the Netherlands. “And all options are open in terms of how he should be brought.”

Asked if kidnapping was acceptable, Eitan replied; “Yes. Any way to bring him for trial in The Hague is a possibility.”

Asif Ali Zardari sworn in as Pakistan’s new president

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Repeatedly paying homage to his assassinated wife, new President Asif Ali Zardari declared Tuesday that he has a comprehensive plan to fight terrorism and said Pakistan’s people are behind him.

Zardari, elected by legislators Saturday, was long on platitudes but short on specifics while meeting with media after taking the oath of office in a short ceremony at the presidential palace. He was chosen to replace Pervez Musharraf, a U.S. ally who resigned under pressure last month.

With President Hamid Karzai of neighboring Afghanistan by his side for a news conference, the widower of former two-time Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto said he hoped to turn Pakistan’s negatives into positives.

Former Nation of Islam leader Mohammed dies

CHICAGO — Imam W.D. Mohammed, who succeeded his father as leader of the Nation of Islam but abandoned its teachings of black supremacy and moved thousands of its followers into mainstream Islam, died Tuesday. He was 74.

Sultan Muhammad confirmed his uncle’s death but did not immediately offer details. He said the family planned to issue a statement later in the day.

The Cook County Medical Examiner said 74-year-old Wallace Mohammed was pronounced dead Tuesday. Mohammed went by both Warith Deen Mohammed and Wallace Muhammad. An autopsy was planned for today.

“Obviously, it’s a great loss for the entire Muslim community,” said Dawud Walid, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Michigan, where Mohammed led a convention last month.

Some in jury pool can’t put aside Simpson’s past

LAS VEGAS — With other prospective jurors listening, a woman lectured O.J. Simpson on his behavior as a celebrity Tuesday and declared, “I felt he got away with murder.”

Like others questioned for service in Simpson’s robbery-kidnap trial, the woman said she would try to be fair. But she became increasingly adamant, disclosing the disenchantment of someone familiar with Simpson’s triumphs and disappointed in his fall from glory.

“I’m very opinionated,” said the woman. “I don’t have any problem giving my opinion and sticking to it.”

The exchanges on the second day of jury selection showed the enduring influence of Simpson’s 1995 acquittal on charges of murdering his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and friend Ronald Goldman. Since Monday, 20 of 248 prospective jurors have been dismissed for various reasons.

Franken wins nomination for Senate in Minnesota

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Comedian Al Franken grabbed the Democratic nomination Tuesday for U.S. Senate in Minnesota, setting up a showdown with Republican Sen. Norm Coleman that had been years in the making.

Franken, who gained fame as a “Saturday Night Live” cast member, easily beat six other candidates chasing the Democratic nod. Coleman trounced his only opponent, an expatriate living in Italy.

Minnesota voters joined those in six other states and the District of Columbia in deciding general election matchups. Nominations for House, Senate and governor were on the line, along with the fate of another TV celebrity: Kevin Powell, a former cast member on MTV’s “Real World,” who is running for Congress in New York.

Franken’s celebrity has both helped and hurt him. His coast-to-coast recognition enabled him to amass an impressive bankroll for a first-time candidate, but archives full of racy material provided ammunition to Republicans and his most visible Democratic rival, attorney Priscilla Lord Faris.

Associated Press