Nation briefs 12/7/05

Kansas professor treated for roadside beating

LAWRENCE, Kan. -- A college professor whose planned course on creationism and intelligent design was canceled after he derided Christian conservatives said he was beaten by two men along a rural road early Monday. University of Kansas religious studies professor Paul Mirecki said the men referred to the class when they beat him on the head, shoulders and back with their fists, and possibly a metal object, the Lawrence Journal-World reported. "I didn't know them," Mirecki said of his assailants, "but I'm sure they knew me." Sheriff's Lt. Kari Wempe said Mirecki reported the attack just before 7 a.m.

Poll: Most in U.S., Britain, France say torture OK

WASHINGTON -- Most Americans and a majority of people in Britain, France and South Korea say torturing terrorism suspects is justified at least in rare instances, according to AP-Ipsos polling. The United States has drawn criticism from human rights groups and many governments, especially in Europe, for its treatment of terror suspects. President Bush and other top officials have said the United States does not torture, but some suspects in American custody have alleged they were victims of severe mistreatment. In America, 61 percent of those surveyed agreed torture is justified at least on rare occasions.

Marine jet crashes off coast of St. Augustine

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- A Marine fighter jet crashed Tuesday morning off St. Augustine, and the Coast Guard and Navy were searching for the pilot. The Marine AV-8B Harrier crashed about 20 miles off the coast, said Donnie Brzuska, a Coast Guard spokesman. The Coast Guard located an oil slick from the aircraft, but had not found the pilot, the plane's only occupant. Another pilot reported seeing the Harrier pilot ejecting, but did not see him touch down, Brzuska said. The name of the pilot has not been released. The plane was based at Cherry Point, N.C. The AV-8B Harrier is a light attack aircraft that can take off and land vertically.

High court may favor campus military recruiting

WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court appeared ready Tuesday to rule against colleges that want to limit military recruiting on campus to protest the Pentagon's policy on gays. New Chief Justice John Roberts and other court members signaled support for a law that says schools that accept federal money also have to accommodate military recruiters. The justices seemed concerned about hindering a Defense Department need to fill its ranks when the nation is at war.

Israel imposes closure on Palestinian territories

JERUSALEM -- Israel clamped an open-ended closure on the West Bank and Gaza Tuesday, banning virtually all Palestinians from Israel, and arrested 15 Palestinian militants in a first response to a suicide bombing that killed five Israelis outside a shopping mall. Israeli officials also said the army would target Islamic Jihad operatives in the West Bank, both through arrest raids and targeted killings of operatives, and renew airstrikes in the Gaza Strip in response to any Palestinian rocket attacks. "We decided to operate in a much broader, much deeper and more intensive manner against the Islamic Jihad infrastructure, and I hope that we will be able to prevent such attacks in the future," Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said after a meeting of security officials.

President Bush observes an early Hanukkah

WASHINGTON -- Hanukkah does not start until Dec. 25 this year, but it was observed early at the White House on Tuesday evening. President Bush helped light a 38-inch gold and bronze menorah, which was lent to the White House by the Park Synagogue of Cleveland. He said the nation is grateful to American troops of all faiths who are away from their families this holiday season. "We are grateful for our freedoms as Americans, especially the freedom to worship," he said. "We are grateful that freedom is spreading to still new regions of the world, and we pray that those who still live in the darkness of tyranny will some day see the light of freedom."

-- From wire reports