World briefs 2/22/06

Prosecutors: Sentence for Holocaust denial too soft

VIENNA, Austria -- Austrian prosecutors appealed a three-year prison sentence for right-wing British historian David Irving, saying Tuesday the punishment was too soft for his strident denial of the Holocaust. Irving pleaded guilty Monday to denying the mass killings of Jews in World War II concentration camps, a crime in the country of Hitler's birth. Austria's 1992 law applies to "whoever denies, grossly plays down, approves or tries to excuse the National Socialist genocide or other National Socialist crimes against humanity in a print publication, in broadcast or other media." The law calls for a prison term of up to 10 years.

Iranian envoy: Moscow talks were 'constructive'

MOSCOW -- A top Iranian negotiator on Tuesday said "constructive" nuclear talks in Moscow offered hope of ending a diplomatic standoff, but some Russians voiced concern that Iran was using the talks to stall for time and avert international sanctions. The talks centered on a Kremlin compromise proposal, backed by the United States and the European Union, that calls for uranium for Iran's nuclear energy program to be enriched in Russia to prevent it from being diverted for atomic weapons.

Gunman arrested after slaying at Las Vegas hotel

LAS VEGAS -- Police blasted out a 20th-story window and stormed a room at a Las Vegas Strip hotel-casino Tuesday, arresting a suspected gunman who authorities say killed another man and shot at police and paramedics during a six-hour standoff. Guests were evacuated from several nearby floors, but the casino remained open during the standoff. The gunman shot into the hallway as police and paramedics arrived during the initial hectic minutes, Jones said. The victim was pronounced dead later at a hospital. The gunman and the dead man were identified as guests at the hotel, but their names were not immediately made public.

China to crack down on junk e-mail, text messages

BEIJING -- China is cracking down on junk e-mail and "illegal" mobile phone text messages, the official Xinhua News Agency said Tuesday. A new regulation will ban sending e-mail for advertising purposes to people without their permission, and all advertising e-mail must be titled "advertisement" or "AD," the agency said. It also said that mobile phones must be registered under users' real names, and that text messaging will be controlled more tightly due to the spread of "illegal messages." The government was vague on details, however.

Truck carrying 19 illegal immigrants crashes in Kan.

ROLLA, Kan. -- A pickup truck carrying 19 illegal immigrants from Mexico crashed on a rural highway after a rear wheel came off, killing three people and injuring 16, authorities said. The pickup flipped over and landed in a ditch, said Kansas Highway Patrol trooper Ron Knoefel. Nine people were riding in the truck's extended cab -- four on the front seat, four in the back seat, and one on the floor between the seats, Knoefel said. He said the 10 others were in the truck's bed, which was covered with a camper shell. At least one of the injured was reported in critical condition. It was not immediately clear where the truck was going.

-- From wire reports