Around the Nation

9 Siblings Abandoned At Omaha Hospital

OMAHA -- Nine siblings are among 11 children as old as 17 who were left at Omaha hospitals Wednesday under Nebraska's new safe haven law, which allows caregivers to abandon babies and teenagers alike at hospitals without fear of prosecution.

The law, originally intended to protect infants, was expanded in a legislative compromise to protect any "child." Some have interpreted that to mean anyone under 19.

Gov. Dave Heineman (R), who signed the law, and some other former supporters are among those now saying changes are needed. "People are leaving them off just because they can't control them," state Sen. Arnie Stuthman, who introduced the original bill, said Thursday. "They're probably in no real danger, so it's an easy way out for the caretaker."

The nine siblings -- five boys and four girls ages 1 to 17 -- were left by their father, who was not identified, at Creighton University Medical Center's emergency room, according to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Unrelated boys ages 11 and 15 also were surrendered Wednesday at Immanuel Medical Center.

At least 16 children have been abandoned since the law took effect in July, the state agency said.

U.S. Extends Permits Of Some Salvadorans

U.S. authorities have announced another 18-month extension of a temporary permit that has allowed about 229,000 Salvadorans to live and work legally in the United States since 2001. The "temporary protected status," which will now remain in effect until Sept. 9, 2010, was offered to Salvadorans then in the United States after an earthquake devastated their country.

The status has been extended numerous times since then but was set to expire March 9, 2009. Only Salvadorans who have temporary protected status will be eligible to renew it. The Department of Homeland Security has yet to announce when the re-registration period will begin.

The benefit is highly prized by the government of El Salvador -- whose economy is bolstered by about $3.7 billion sent home each year by Salvadorans living abroad.

A similar status granted to several thousand Hondurans and Nicaraguans in the wake of a 1998 hurricane is to expire Jan. 5, 2009.

Ex-Prosecutor Seeks Immunity

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba -- A U.S. military prosecutor at Guantanamo Bay who alleged that his superiors suppressed evidence refused to testify in the war crimes case, one day after revealing that he quit over what he called ethical lapses. Army Lt. Col. Darrel Vandeveld said he will not testify unless he receives immunity.

Haditha Marine Sues Murtha

PITTSBURGH -- A former Marine sued Rep. John P. Murtha for slander, saying the Pennsylvania Democrat damaged his reputation by saying he and his comrades killed women and children "in cold blood" in Haditha, Iraq, in November 2005. Former Lance Cpl. Justin Sharratt filed the federal lawsuit in Pittsburgh. Murtha's office said the congressman had no comment on the lawsuit. Sharratt is the second Marine to sue Murtha over his comments about Haditha.

-- From Staff Reports and News Services