US & World News, Friday 3/28

US & World Summary --- Baghdad Under Curfew, Green Zone Locked Down (Baghdad) -- Iraqs capital city of Baghdad is under a strict curfew and the citys heavily fortified Green Zone is locked down because of the threat of violence. CNN reports the U.S. Embassy staff has been told to remain indoors after rocket attacks killed two American employees. Elsewhere in the country, at least 120 Shiite militants have been killed in a four-day-long Iraqi military operation in Basra. Another 450 have also been wounded. Tens of thousands of Iraqis have been killed in sectarian fighting between the majority Shiites and minority Sunni Arabs. --- President Bush To Address Housing Industry Crisis (Washington, DC) -- President Bush will be in New Jersey this afternoon, where hes scheduled to talk about the housing industry crisis. During comments earlier this week, Bush acknowledged the impact of the ongoing housing crisis on the overall economy. While admitting that the U.S. economy is going through a "rough patch right now," he expressed optimism about the economys long-term prospects. The President says hes confident the recently passed economic stimulus package will boost the slumping economy. --- Twenty Mexican Nationals Involved In Fatal Truck Accident (Penitas, TX) -- At least three people are dead after a pickup truck transporting 20 suspected illegal immigrants crashed into an SUV near Penitas, Texas yesterday morning. "The Monitor" reports a Ford F-150 crammed with Mexican nationals was attempting to cut across the freeway when a westbound Ford Expedition slammed into the truck. Two immigrants were killed on impact and a third died later. Fourteen others suffered various injuries while the occupants of the SUV werent seriously hurt. Penitas is just about two miles north of the Mexican border. --- Appeals Court Overturns Mumia Abu-Jamal Death Sentence (Philadelphia, PA) -- The death sentence for convicted cop killer and former Black Panther Mumia Abu-Jamal has been overturned. In their ruling yesterday the U.S. appeals court in Philadelphia also rejected Mumias bid for a new trial. District Attorney Lynne Abraham says the court reaffirmed Mumias conviction by not granting him a new trial. Mumia was found guilty of the 1981 killing of officer Daniel Faulkner. The DA says shes expecting the defense to appeal the case. That appeal has to be filed within 14 days. --- Hearing Set In Phil Spector Murder Retrial (Los Angeles, CA) -- Its back to court today for music legend Phil Spector. A hearing today in Los Angeles will again consider murder charges against the famed music producer. The jury in Spectors first trial deadlocked this past September and Judge Larry Fidler declared a mistrial in the murder case. Prosecutors decided to take the case back to court. Spector is accused of shooting actress Lana Clarkson to death at his Alhambra, California mansion in 2003. If hes convicted of second degree murder, Spector could face 15-years-to-life in prison. --- Deputy Says She Had To Use Taser On Disruptive Student (Orlando, FL) -- A Florida sheriffs deputy says she had no choice but to Taser an eleven-year-old girl who was having a temper tantrum. The incident happened yesterday at an Orlando elementary school. Officials say Thaliamar Jimenez tried to push another student into oncoming traffic and then punched the school resource officer in the face. Sheriffs deputies say despite her age, Jimenez is the size of a full grown woman and could have severely injured the deputy if the altercation had continued. --- Jose Canseco Addresses Allegations In New Book Former Major League Baseball star Jose Canseco is speaking out about the allegations hes made in a new book. Canseco told ABCs "Nightline" last night that he doesnt know for a fact whether a trainer identified only as "Max" provided steroids to New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez but says, in his opinion, he suspects he has. Canseco made the claim in the book "Vindicated: Big Names, Big Lies and the Battle to Save Baseball." (Copyright 2008 by Newsroom Solutions) RNS-03-28-08 0842CDT