Nation briefs 11/5/06

Northwest Airlines to recall furloughed pilots

EAGAN, Minn. -- Northwest Airlines Corp., which is working to emerge from bankruptcy, is planning to recall hundreds of furloughed pilots this year and next, more than it initially said it would recall, the pilot's union said. Northwest, the nation's fifth-largest airline, sent letters to at least 425 pilots seeking to recall them as of Oct. 10 and expects to recall about 150 pilots more in the first half of 2007, according to a letter from Tim Campbell, Northwest vice president, to pilots that was obtained by the Pioneer Press. The airline laid off up to 729 pilots after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, reduced service and filed for bankruptcy reorganization in September 2005.

Officials want to keep interrogation secrets

WASHINGTON -- A suspected terrorist who spent years in a secret CIA prison should not be allowed to speak to a civilian attorney, the Bush administration argues, because he could reveal the agency's closely guarded interrogation techniques. Human rights groups have questioned the CIA's methods for questioning suspects, especially following the passage of a bill last month that authorized the use of harsh -- but undefined -- interrogation tactics. In recently filed court documents, the Justice Department said those methods, along with the locations of the CIA's prisons, are among the nation's most sensitive secrets.

Evangelical leader agrees to resign over scandal

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- The Rev. Ted Haggard agreed to resign as leader of the New Life Church after its independent investigative board recommended removal. "We, the Overseer Board of New Life Church, have concluded our deliberations concerning the moral failings of Pastor Ted Haggard," a statement from the church said. "Our investigation and Pastor Haggard's public statements have proven without a doubt that he has committed sexually immoral conduct." A man describing himself as an escort told news media this week that Haggard, who also has resigned as president of the influential National Asssociation of Evangelicals, had been paying him for sex for three years. Haggard immediately denied the allegations, but later acknowledged having paid the man for a massage and to provide methamphetamine.

-- From wire reports