US turns over last prison to Iraq

US turns over last prison to Iraq

BAGHDAD

The U.S. military has handed over Tariq Aziz and dozens of other members of Saddam Hussein’s inner circle to Iraqi authorities who will assume control today of the last American-run detention facility in the country.

Although the Americans will continue to hold 200 problematic detainees, the changing of the guard at Camp Cropper will mean the end of a mammoth U.S. prison system that has processed more than 100,000 Iraqis in the seven years since the fall of Baghdad.

Bristol Palin, Levi Johnston on again

NEW YORK

Bristol Palin and Levi Johnston say they’re engaged and hope to get married within six weeks in Alaska, an abrupt turnaround for the couple who just months ago were fighting over child support and Johnston’s critical comments about the family.

Palin, 19, the daughter of 2008 vice-presidential candidate and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, is featured on the cover of Us Weekly with Johnston, holding their 18-month-old son, Tripp.

Panel: Keep diabetes drug on market

WASHINGTON

GlaxoSmithKline’s drug Avandia should stay on the market, federal health experts voted Wednesday, but the controversial diabetes pill should be subject to new restrictions due to risky heart side effects.

A panel of Food and Drug Administration advisers voted 20-12 to keep the once-blockbuster pill available for diabetics. But 10 panelists also called for limiting who can receive and prescribe the much-debated medication.

Iranian scientist: CIA kidnapped me

TEHRAN, Iran

An Iranian nuclear scientist who disappeared a year ago is back in Tehran from the United States as Iranian and U.S. officials trade conflicting accounts of his time away.

Shahram Amiri spoke to journalists allowed to cover his return today as his young son sat on his lap.

Amiri repeated claims he was abducted last year while on a pilgrimage in the Saudi holy city of Medina and carried off to the United States. He says CIA agents tried to pressure him into making propaganda against his homeland and offered him $50 million to remain in America.

U.S. authorities say the 32-year-old Amiri was in the United States freely — suggesting he was a defector.

Mayor apparently kills daughter, self

COPPELL, Texas

The mayor of an upscale Dallas suburb apparently shot her teenage daughter to death before fatally shooting herself after leaving notes at their home warning officers about the scene they would find and outlining how to manage family affairs, police said Wednesday.

An envelope taped to the front door of Mayor Jayne Peters’ home contained a key to the house and a typed note advising police they would discover something unpleasant inside, Coppell Deputy Police Chief Steve Thomas said.

Three other notes contained instructions for handling affairs, such as taking care of the family dogs, but did not provide explanations for the deaths of the 55-year-old Peters and her 19-year-old daughter, Corinne.

Associated Press