Fort Dix jurors resume deliberations
CAMDEN, N.J., Dec. 21 (UPI) -- Jurors in the trial of five Muslim immigrants accused of planning a terror attack on Fort Dix in New Jersey deliberated for a fifth day Sunday.
The federal panel couldn't reach a verdict against the five men Saturday but told U.S. District Judge Robert Kugler they were making progress toward a decision, The Star-Ledger newspaper in Newark, N.J., reported.
The five are accused of planning last year to invade Fort Dix under cover of a pizza delivery and kill as many U.S. soldiers as possible. Defense attorneys contend the case was concocted by FBI informants paid to infiltrate a group of well-meaning friends and badger them into a plot.
The jury has asked for testimony regarding one suspect, Serdar Tatar, who worked at a 7-Eleven in Philadelphia but whose father ran a New Jersey pizzeria that delivered orders to Fort Dix, the newspaper said.
Prosecutors say Tatar gave an informant a map of the inside of the base knowing the man wanted to use it to plot an attack. Defense attorneys, however, referred to a police officer who testified that Tatar had reported the incident to him as possible terrorism, The Star-Ledger said.
Video plea for Madeleine's return released
LEICESTER, England, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- Britons Kate and Gerry McCann say in a new video they are desperate to be reunited with their daughter Madeleine, who disappeared while they were in Portugal.
In the just-released video, the McCanns said they are hopeful the upcoming holiday will mark the last Christmas they are forced to spend without their daughter, who was 3 when she disappeared while the family was on vacation last year, The Mail on Sunday reported.
The video features video footage of Madeleine, including multiple clips taken by the family during Christmas 2006.
While the McCanns make a plea for their daughter's return, they do not appear in it.
"This will be our second Christmas without our daughter," the video plea asks. "Please help us make sure we don't have a third."
McCann family spokesman Clarence Mitchell said the couple are hopeful the video will serve as a "reminder" to the general public regarding Madeleine's plight, the Mail reported.
"This, they feel, is a timely and appropriate reminder that she is still out there and that somebody somewhere may still have that vital piece of information that may lead to her being found," Mitchell said.
Hotels hit by Mumbai attacks reopen
MUMBAI, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- Two Mumbai hotels targeted during deadly terrorist attacks last month officially welcomed guests Sunday for the first time, officials say.
An unidentified spokesman for the Oberoi-Trident hotel confirmed the luxury lodgings had reopened, CNN reported.
"All the 550 guest rooms, including the executive floors, of the hotel are ready to receive guests," the spokesman said.
The Taj Mahal Palace Tower in Mumbai is also once again open and all of the hotel's five restaurants are booking reservations, hotel representatives said.
CNN said portions of both hotels remained closed to guests due to significant damage incurred during the attacks, which resulted in more than 160 deaths. The gunmen held hostages at both hotels during three days of carnage in the port city, which is Mumbai's financial center, CNN said.
N.Y. Gov. Paterson makes Iraq visit
BAGHDAD, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- New York Gov. David Paterson was among a contingent of politicians making a surprise holiday season visit to Iraq, a governor's aide said Sunday.
Paterson, a Democrat, joined Democratic New York congressmen Steve Israel and Anthony Weiner in a delegation trip that landed in Baghdad early Sunday, Newsday reported.
"It is a privilege for me to visit the troops during the holiday season," Paterson said in a statement. "Thousands of families across our state will have an empty place at their holiday tables because a loved one is overseas serving our country."
About 8,300 New Yorkers are active-duty service members serving in Iraq with another 2,000 reservists also in the country, officials said.
Also in the delegation were U.S. Reps. Tom Cole, R-Okla., and Ed Whitfield R-Ky. Paterson's statement didn't say how long the politicians would be in Iraq, Newsday reported.
