Israeli president begins pardons

Israeli president begins pardons

JERUSALEM

Israel’s president on Saturday began the process of formally pardoning hundreds of Palestinian prisoners who are to be exchanged for an Israeli soldier held by Gaza militants for five years.

A spokeswoman for President Shimon Peres said he received the files of hundreds of prisoners set for release in the first phase of the deal and has 48 hours to sign the pardons. The swap will likely happen Tuesday.

Under the deal, 1,027 Palestinians — including some behind attacks on Israelis — will be released in two stages in return for Sgt. Gilad Schalit, who was captured by Hamas-backed militants in a 2006 cross-border raid.

US strike kills 9 al-Qaida militants

SANAA, Yemen

The United States has raised the tempo in its war against al-Qaida in Yemen, killing nine of the terror group’s militants in the second high-profile airstrike in as many weeks. The dead in the late Friday night strike included the son of Anwar al-Awlaki, the prominent American-Yemeni militant killed in a Sept. 30 strike.

Yemeni officials on Saturday attributed the recent U.S. successes against al-Qaida to better intelligence from an army of Yemeni informers and cooperation with the Saudis, Washington’s longtime Arab allies.

The successes come even as Yemen falls deeper into turmoil, with President Ali Abdullah Saleh clinging to power in the face of months of massive protests. Saturday saw the worst bloodshed in weeks in the capital, Sanaa: At least 18 people were killed when Saleh’s troops fired on protesters and clashed with rivals.

Coming out in the military

LAS VEGAS

Service members attending the first convention for gay military personnel say they have received nothing but support or shrugs since coming out at work.

Nearly four weeks after the U.S. lifted its ban on gays serving openly in the armed forces, 200 members of a group known as OutServe are attending the conference in Las Vegas.

They say they are relieved they no longer have to hide, but they are determined to make sure they are viewed as sailors, soldiers, airmen and Marines first, gay second.

Michelle Benecke is a former Army battery commander who left the military before “don’t ask, don’t tell” was enacted. He says gay Americans serving their country with pride are “the right-wing’s biggest fear” because they counter stereotypes that gay men and lesbians are selfish.

Memorial to take place for Steve Jobs

NEW YORK

Apple is having a memorial service for Steve Jobs today at Stanford University.

Invitations have gone out to Silicon Valley luminaries and other people close to Jobs, The Wall Street Journal reported. Apple told the newspaper that the evening event is private.

Calls The Associated Press made to Stanford on Saturday seeking details of the event were not returned.

Apple has said no public services are planned.

Jobs, who co-founded Apple Inc. and was the mastermind behind popular gadgets such as the iPhone and the iPad, died Oct. 5 at age 56 after struggling for years with pancreatic cancer.

A small, private funeral was held a week ago, the Journal reported. Apple also is planning an event Wednesday for employees at its headquarters in Cupertino, Calif. It’s billed as a celebration of his life.

Meanwhile, California Gov. Jerry Brown issued a proclamation Saturday declaring today as Steve Jobs Day in California.

Associated Press