Air Force drops three counts against translator

WASHINGTON -- The Air Force has dropped three counts in an espionage case against Syrian-born airman Ahmad I. al-Halabi, who worked as a translator at the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, prison camp for terrorism suspects. Dropped was the single count in the charge that accused al-Halabi of "aiding the enemy," a capital offense. Also dropped were counts regarding e-mailing information about Guantanamo detainees. Al-Halabi still faces 17 of the 30 charges filed against him.

Drinking suspicion gets pilot pulled from flight

WASHINGTON -- A veteran Virgin Atlantic Airways pilot was in a Virginia jail Saturday facing a charge that he showed up drunk to fly a planeload of almost 400 passengers to London. The airline said Richard George Harwell, 55, an American living in England, had a spotless record during 14 years as a Virgin pilot. Police at Washington Dulles International Airport in suburban Virginia seized Harwell aboard Virgin Atlantic Flight 22 on Friday night after being summoned by the Transportation Security Administration, whose screeners had detected alcohol on Harwell's breath.

Beauty queen turns self in to face murder charge

SAVANNAH, Ga. -- A Georgia beauty queen turned herself in to police Saturday to face a murder charge in the death of her boyfriend. Sharron Nicole Redmond, who holds the title of Miss Savannah, was being held without bail in the death of 25-year-old Kevin Shorter. Redmond, 21, was initially charged with aggravated assault in the Tuesday night shooting, but the charge was upgraded to murder after Shorter died Friday from a shooting police say was motivated by jealousy.

New bishop installed in scandal-ridden diocese

PHOENIX -- The Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix installed a new bishop Saturday to replace Thomas O'Brien, whose tenure included allegations of abuse by priests and his arrest in a deadly hit-and-run accident. Thomas Olmsted, the bishop of Wichita, Kan., becomes the new spiritual leader of more than 470,000 Catholics in Arizona.

Business owner surprises employees with bonus

ADEL, Iowa -- Christmas came early for 270 employees at an Iowa corn company. Harry Stine, founder of Stine Seed Co., told his workers they would get $1,000 for each year they have worked for him. That adds up to a $20,000 bonus for some loyal employees who have worked there for 20 years. The average bonus check was $4,000.

Chicago ordered to pay panhandlers $99,000

CHICAGO -- A federal judge has approved a $99,000 settlement for people who have been arrested or ticketed for panhandling in Chicago. The city also must pay $375,000 to cover attorneys' fees and the cost of distributing the money, said plaintiffs' attorney Mark Weinberg, who filed suit over the matter in 2001.

-- From wire reports