World briefs 3/15/05

Neb. rescinds job offer to man convicted of murder

LINCOLN, Neb. -- The state of Nebraska made -- and then abruptly took back -- a job offer to a man convicted of murdering Dian Fossey, the American wildlife researcher whose work in Africa was the subject of the movie "Gorillas in the Mist." The Health and Human Services System announced Monday that Wayne Richard McGuire had been hired as program director of a mental health office. The offer was withdrawn, however, after it was reported that McGuire was found guilty in absentia in Rwanda in the 1985 slaying of Fossey, who was hacked to death at a jungle camp in Rwanda. McGuire has denied any involvement in Fossey's killing.

911 calls tell horror of Wisconsin church slayings

BROOKFIELD, Wis. -- Victims of a gunman's rampage at a church service used their cell phones to frantically call for help and describe the carnage that took the lives of seven worshippers, according to 911 tapes released Monday. The wounded screamed, survivors cried, and many invoked the Lord's name. "He was putting in another magazine when I ran out the door," said one man, who fled to a nearby store. "He was getting ready to open fire again." One woman said, "One, two, three, four, five," as she counted the wounded lying on the bloody floor. Churchgoers knew the killer, who fired 21 bullets on the congregation, before shooting himself. One even named him. "Terry Ratzmann. He's one of the members. He's dead. He shot himself," the caller said.

Civil rights leader to make bid for U.S. Senate

BALTIMORE -- Kweisi Mfume, a former five-term congressman who recently stepped down as president of the NAACP, announced Monday that he will run for the U.S. Senate next year in Maryland. In announcing his candidacy, the Baltimore native declared: "I can't be bought. I won't be intimidated, and I don't know how to quit." Mfume, 56, had made no secret that his sights were set on a Senate seat, but he did not formally announce his candidacy until retiring five-term Sen. Paul Sarbanes disclosed last week that he would not seek re-election. If elected, Mfume would become the first black U.S. senator from Maryland and the sixth in U.S. history.

Police detain hundreds of protesters in Nepal

KATMANDU, Nepal -- Baton-wielding police beat protesters and arrested hundreds Monday during nationwide rallies against the king's emergency rule, while communist rebels torched buses and threatened to step up attacks against the government. The demonstrations coincided with Monday's U.N. Human Rights Conference in Geneva, which was expected to criticize King Gyanendra's power grab of Feb. 1, when he imposed emergency rule and suspended civil liberties. Some 300 people were reported detained nationwide, including dozens in the capital, Katmandu.

Ballots cast in Central African Republic elections

BANGUI, Central African Republic -- Voters in Central African Republic cast ballots for president in the first poll since rebels seized the capital two years ago and installed their leader as the country's ruler. Gen. Francois Bozize, who now presides over the country, is considered the front-runner in a field of 11. Lining up Sunday in front of polling centers, voters said they hoped the poll, regardless of the outcome, could help end the cycle of political instability that has plagued their nation, which has weathered 10 coups or attempted rebellions since 1960.

Police assault jail run by Muslim militant suspects

MANILA, Philippines -- Police fired a barrage of tear-gas canisters and bullets today in a major assault on Muslim suspects who took over a maximum-security jail in Manila, following a botched escape attempt that left five people dead. The assault came shortly after Interior Secretary Angelo Reyes gave the inmates 15 minutes to surrender after a deal Monday to end the drama fell apart over the militants' demand for food. As the deadline passed, gunfire rang out at the prison compound in Camp Bagong Diwa. Police fired tear gas and officers and sharpshooters were seen running in and out of the main steel gates. The inmates were led by suspects from the brutal Muslim extremist group Abu Sayyaf.