Nation/world briefs 2/2/04

Ariz. hostage crisis ends with safe release of guard

BUCKEYE, Ariz. -- A corrections officer was released Sunday from the prison guard tower where she had been held hostage by a pair of inmates for two weeks, a Corrections Department spokeswoman said. The inmates surrendered, Cam Hunter said. Hunter said the guard, whose name was not released, was receiving medical attention. The surrender at the medium- to high-security Arizona State Prison Complex-Lewis ended one of the nation's longest prison hostage situations in decades. Negotiators had regular contact with inmates throughout the standoff, and at times had seen the guard or talked to her by telephone.

Panel to recommend female heir to Japan throne

TOKYO -- A government panel plans to recommend that Japan amend a law to let women inherit the Chrysanthemum Throne, a newspaper reported Sunday, as the imperial family faces its most serious succession crisis in centuries. The birth in December 2001 of Princess Aiko, the only child of Crown Prince Naruhito, has generated intense debate over whether the Imperial Household Law should be changed to allow her one day to reign. A lower house panel is leaning toward revising the law and plans to solicit opinions from experts before submitting its final recommendations next January, the Mainichi newspaper said.

Bombing in southern Afghan town kills eight

DEH RAWOOD, Afghanistan -- A remote-controlled bomb, thought to have been planted by Taliban or al-Qaida fighters, exploded as a southern Afghan mayor and his family drove by, killing him and seven relatives, a provincial governor said Sunday. Six people were arrested. No other details were immediately available. Provincial Gov. Jan Mohammad Khan said the blast occurred at about 5 p.m. Saturday afternoon in Deh Rawood, southern Uruzgan province, as the vehicle of Mayor Khalif Sadaht passed on its way home.

Nez Perce fight housing development near land

JOSEPH, Ore. -- More than a century after Chief Joseph delivered one of the most heartbreaking surrender speeches in history, the Nez Perce Indians are girding for battle again -- this time in the courtroom. The tribe is trying to stop construction of 11 upscale homes on a grassy ridge near the tribal cemetery that includes the grave of Chief Joseph's father, Old Chief Joseph. The Nez Perce and two other Northwest tribes have filed a legal challenge to the proposed housing development with the Wallowa County Board of Commissioners. The commissioners are scheduled to decide the issue at a hearing today.

-- From wire reports