Militants storm prison, free 31 in Philippines

Militants storm prison, free 31 in Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — An official says dozens of suspected Islamic militants stormed a jail in the volatile southern Philippines, freeing 31 inmates in a nighttime attack that sparked a gunbattle in which two people were killed.

Vice Governor Al Rasheed Sakalahul of Basilan island says about 30 gunmen destroyed a concrete wall and barged into the provincial jail in Isabela city before dawn today to free several detained Muslim guerrillas, adding that other inmates also dashed to freedom.

Police say at least 31 inmates escaped, including suspected members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, a large Muslim rebel group engaged in peace talks with the government.

Science-fiction writer arrested at border

PORT HURON, Mich. — Police arrested a Canadian science-fiction writer after he became aggressive and refused to comply during an inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers, a government official said Saturday.

Peter Watts of Toronto was detained Tuesday in Port Huron in Michigan, Customs spokesman Ron Smith told The Associated Press. Smith said Watts was trying to cross into Canada at Blue Water Bridge when his vehicle was selected for inspection.

Smith said he got out of the vehicle and became “noncompliant” and “aggressive,” so officers detained him.

On Watts’ blog, comments attributed to him Friday denied he had been aggressive and said he had been punched in the face during the arrest.

Watts’ books include “Starfish,” “Maelstrom” and “Behemoth,” known as the “Rifters Trilogy.”

Pakistan looks to launch new offensive on Taliban

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan may launch a new military offensive in a district near the Afghan border where insurgent leaders are believed to have fled to escape a government onslaught against the Taliban in nearby South Waziristan, the prime minister said Saturday.

The suggestion of another anti- Taliban operation illustrates the intractable challenge facing this nuclear-armed U.S. ally: Even as it squeezes one extremist stronghold in its northwest, insurgents simply regroup in other parts of the rugged, loosely governed region.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said the next front may be Orakzai, a district north of South Waziristan in Pakistan’s lawless tribal belt.

8 arrested in protest outside chancellor’s home

BERKELEY, Calif. — Eight people were under arrest Saturday after protesters broke windows, lights and planters outside the home of the chancellor of the University of California, Berkeley.

University spokesman Dan Mogulof said 40 to 70 protesters also threw lighted torches at police cars and the home of Chancellor Robert Birgeneau late Friday. There were no fires or injuries.

The protest at the chancellor’s home came late the same day that police arrested 66 protesters at a campus classroom building that was partially taken over for four days.

The demonstrations are against state funding cuts that have led to course cutbacks, faculty furloughs and sharp fee increases.

Designer of 50-star American flag dies

SAGINAW, Mich. — Robert G. Heft, who is credited with designing and sewing the first 50-star American flag, has died. He was 67.

Heft made the flag in 1958 as part of a high school history project in Lancaster, Ohio. He spent more than 12 hours sewing the design on his mother’s Singer sewing machine. President Dwight D. Eisenhower chose Heft’s design to replace the 48-star flag.

Body of climber found

PORTLAND, Ore. — Authorities say the body of a climber was found Saturday on Oregon’s Mount Hood, but two other climbers were still missing after a daylong search.

Detective Jim Strovink of the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office says the climber who died was identified as 26-year-old Luke T. Gullberg of Des Moines, Wash.

The remaining climbers still missing were identified as 24-year-old Anthony Vietti of Longview, Wash., and 29-year-old Katti Nolan of Portland.

Strovink said all three climbers were experienced and well-equipped.

A search is set to resume shortly after dawn today for Vietti and Nolan. The trio left Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood about 1 a.m. Friday and were reported missing when they failed to return Friday afternoon.

Associated Press