Man's attorneys seeking posthumous divorce decree

Man's attorneys seeking posthumous divorce decree

PITTSBURGH-- Attorneys for a slain Pennsylvania dentist are seeking a posthumous divorce decree, saying that's what their client would have wanted. Dr. John Yelenic and his wife separated in 2002, agreed to a divorce and even hammered out a property settlement. But the Blairsville dentist was slain the day before he was to sign his divorce papers, setting the stage for what attorneys say is a first-of-its-kind request in Pennsylvania: a divorce decree after death. One attorney who represents Yelenic's estate believes the decree is needed to protect a property settlement a judge approved last week. But an expert in Pennsylvania family law says there is no reason to declare a dead man divorced because the dentist's wife and adopted son will receive support under the property settlement, which legally overrides his will.

Civilian border group starts building security fence in Ariz.

PALOMINAS, Ariz. -- Scores of volunteers gathered at a remote ranch Saturday to help a civilian border-patrol group start building a short security fence in hopes of reducing illegal immigration from Mexico. The Minuteman Civil Defense Corps plans to install a combination of barbed wire, razor wire, and in some spots, steel rail barriers along the 10-mile stretch of private land in southeastern Arizona. They hope it prompts the federal government to do the same along the entire Arizona border.

More digging in search of Hoffa's remains

MILFORD TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- Federal agents were digging up a Michigan horse farm for the 11th day on Saturday in search of the remains of labor leader Jimmy Hoffa. The Teamsters leader disappeared in 1975. He was last was seen on a night he was scheduled to have dinner at a restaurant in Bloomfield Township, about 20 miles from the farm. He was supposed to meet with a New Jersey Teamsters boss and a Detroit Mafia captain, who both are now dead. Hoffa's disappearance is one of America's great current-day mysteries. A government investigator has said that Donovan Wells, who lived on the land at the time, was the one who gave the FBI the tip that has sparked the intense effort. The farm was at one time was owned by Hoffa associate Rolland McMaster.

Teen denies Berlin knife rampage that injured 28

BERLIN -- A teenager suspected of attacking 28 people with a knife in a rampage in the German capital has told police he had been drinking heavily and could "remember little" about what happened next. The teen's denial comes despite dozens of witness statements and the seizure of the weapon, officials said Saturday. The 16-year-old student is suspected of stabbing and hitting dozens of people as he mingled with crowds heading home after a light-show Friday night to celebrate the opening of Berlin's new central railway station. Fifteen of the 28 adults injured needed hospital treatment, including several whose lives were saved by emergency surgery.

Hamas militia returns to streets of Gaza

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip -- The Hamas-led government's private militia returned to the streets of Gaza on Saturday, raising the specter of new friction with President Mahmoud Abbas' rival Fatah movement. Abbas has demanded that Hamas accept -- by next week -- a plan for a Palestinian state alongside Israel. The plan implies recognition of Israel and accepting it would effectively mean an end to Hamas' stated aim of destroying the Jewish state. Hamas officials signaled Saturday they would not honor the deadline.

Somali's Islamic militias, secular rivals resume fighting

MOGADHISU, Somalia -- Islamic militiamen and rival secular fighters traded machine-gun, rocket and mortar fire in Somalia's capital Saturday, killing at least eight and wounding a dozen as residents fled on foot or in hired minivans. But the fighting was lighter one day after hundreds of residents fled some of the fiercest battles in Mogadishu in 14 years. The violence Saturday -- which hospital worker Ali Bile said killed at least eight and wounded at least 12 -- stopped in southern Mogadishu after several hours. Sporadic gunfire continued in the northern part of the city.

-- From wire reports