Nation briefs 8/18/05

Coretta Scott King in fair condition at hospital

ATLANTA -- Coretta Scott King was hospitalized in fair condition Wednesday and a family friend said the 78-year-old widow of Martin Luther King Jr. had suffered a stroke. King was admitted to Piedmont Hospital on Tuesday, and the family released a statement Wednesday saying she was resting comfortably. It expressed thanks for the "outpouring of care and support that's being sent from around the world." Hospital spokeswoman Diana Lewis and the family wouldn't discuss her illness, but the Rev. Joseph Lowery said King had suffered a stroke and was having trouble speaking.

Military jury convicts Army reservist of abuse

FORT BLISS, Texas -- A military jury convicted an Army Reserve private Wednesday of beating one of two Afghanistan detainees who later died. The jury found Pfc. Willie Brand guilty of assault, maltreatment, false official swearing and maiming. It acquitted him of similar charges involving the second man. Brand's sentencing hearing begins today, and he could face anything from no punishment to up to 16 years in military prison. As the verdict was read, Brand, 26, wiped tears from his face. His attorney, John P. Galligan, said the conviction will be appealed.

Woman at roadblock in Israel sets self on fire

JERUSALEM -- A woman at a roadblock in southern Israel set herself on fire and was taken to a hospital in serious condition, police said. The woman is believed to be a right-wing activist protesting Israel's Gaza Strip withdrawal, said police spokeswoman Sharon Brown. The Haaretz newspaper reported that the woman, whose name has not been revealed, suffered burns on over 60 percent of her body. The incident occurred near the southern Israeli town of Netivot.

Irate judge fines Jackson over missed hearing

NEW ORLEANS -- An irate judge, miffed by Michael Jackson's failure to have his attorney show up for a hearing in a civil case, fined the singer $10,000 on Wednesday. Jackson was a no-show and had no attorney present at a July hearing in the case accusing him of sexually assaulting an 18-year-old during the 1984 World's Fair. Jackson denies the accusations.

U.S. B-1B bomber appears at Moscow air show

ZHUKOVSKY, Russia -- The U.S. Air Force brought its powerful B-1B strategic bomber to the Moscow International Air Show being held Wednesday at a once-secret Soviet-era air base. Boeing Co. and its European rival Airbus SAS, meanwhile, mapped out plans for new cooperation with Russia's cash-hungry aircraft industry at the Zhukovsky airfield, where more than 600 companies from 40 nations gathered. The six-day show ends Sunday.

-- From wire reports