Hostage negotiations continue at prison

BUCKEYE, Ariz. -- Negotiators on Tuesday saw two correctional officers held hostage in a prison guard tower for the first time since they were taken captive by a pair of inmates Sunday. Officials worked around the clock to try to free the officers taken hostage in a weapons-stocked guard tower. Cam Hunter, a state Corrections Department spokeswoman, described the talks as calm. The standoff began Sunday morning after an inmate attacked a guard in the prison kitchen. The prisoner and another inmate then got into an observation tower where the two guards were stationed.

Government uses 1800s law against GreenpeaceMIAMI -- When prosecutors brought charges against Greenpeace for protesting a shipment of Amazon mahogany, they dusted off a 19th century federal law enacted to stop pimps from clambering aboard ships entering port. Environmentalists call the charges a heavy-handed attempt to stifle free speech and say the government is retaliating against Greenpeace for previous in-your-face protests against the Bush administration. One reason Greenpeace is fighting so hard is the potential punishment: a $20,000 fine and five years' probation, which could hinder the organization's use of civil disobedience as a protest tactic and could potentially open Greenpeace finances, operations, support and membership to government inspection.

Judge in Scott Peterson murder case moves trialMODESTO, Calif. -- The judge in Scott Peterson's murder case moved the trial about 90 miles away to San Mateo County on Tuesday because of hostility toward Peterson in his dead wife's hometown. Judge Al Girolami ruled earlier this month that the trial had to be moved to ensure Peterson got a fair trial in the December 2002 slaying of his wife, Laci, and unborn son. The trial is scheduled to start Monday, but a hearing is scheduled later this week to discuss a delay.

Potential 20th hijacker turned away at airportWASHINGTON -- A man who may have been the intended 20th hijacker in al-Qaida's Sept. 11, 2001, terror attack was prevented from entering the country by a U.S. immigration agent, federal officials said Tuesday. The man, identified only by his last name of al-Qahtani, was turned away by the agent Jose Melendez-Perez at Orlando International Airport in late August 2001, according to two senior law enforcement officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.

-- From wire reports