US & World News, Friday 5/9

US & World Summary --- Cyclone Relief Impounded In Myanmar (Yangon) -- Two United Nations food shipments have been stopped from reaching cyclone victims in Myanmar 1/81/8 MEE-an-mar 3/83/8. The packages were impounded by the military junta that controls the country formerly known as Burma. The shipments, now sitting on an airport tarmac, contain enough food to feed 95-thousand people and are meant for the victims of Cyclone Nargis. The ruling military generals insist theyre the only ones who are allowed to distribute emergency aid. --- Sweeping Housing Relief Package Passed In Congress (Washington, DC) -- The House has approved a sweeping housing relief package, sending it to the Senate where it faces an uncertain fate. Supporters say the measure will help half-a-million borrowers refinance into mortgages that are backed by the government. Part of the plan would send about 15-billion-dollars to cities and towns to buy foreclosed homes that are abandoned and in disrepair. In addition, first-time homebuyers would get a 75-hundred-dollar tax credit with a 15-year payback. President Bush has threatened to veto the roughly 300-billion-dollar package, arguing it would "reward speculators and lenders." --- Cult Leader Still Locked Up In New Mexico (Clayton, NM) -- Cult leader Wayne Bent remains behind bars in New Mexico, after failing to make bail. Bent is accused of sexual misconduct with up to four children at his Strong City cult compound near the town of Clayton. He told the court yesterday he could not raise 55-thousand-dollars to get out of jail, and the judge denied his request to be released on his own recognizance. Bent remains on a hunger strike. Meanwhile, the state has removed three of the children from the compound, while the fourth is still being interviewed. --- Bollea To Enter "Open Plea" (Clearwater, FL) -- Hulk Hogans son will be in a Florida courtroom this afternoon over the car accident that seriously injured a passenger in his car. Nick Bollea is expected to enter an "open plea," meaning the judge will have complete leeway in sentencing him. The son of the professional wrestler crashed his Supra into a tree near downtown Clearwater last August. John Graziano remains in a coma from injuries suffered in the wreck. Grazianos family will have an opportunity to testify at the sentencing hearing on how the crime has affected their lives. --- Base Brawl Breaks Out At Rangers, Mariners Game (Seattle, WA) -- It was base-brawl last night in Seattle after a bench-clearing fight broke out during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners. Texas starting pitcher Kason Gabbard threw a ball high over the plate that would have been a strike had it been two feet lower. However, Seattles Richie Sexson took the high pitch personally and charged the mound, throwing his helmet at Gabbard in the process. Both benches cleared as the teams tangled in the infield. The Rangers went on to beat a frustrated Mariners team 5-0. (Copyright 2008 by Newsroom Solutions) RNS-05-09-08 0846CDT