CNN - News Briefs - May 24, 1996

News Briefs

May 24, 1996
Web posted at: 10:00 p.m. EDT

Alleged Lithuanian Nazi loses U.S. citizenship

BOSTON, Massachusetts (CNN) -- A federal judge stripped an 88-year-old man of his U.S. citizenship Friday, opening the way for the Lithuanian native to be deported. Aleksandras Lileikis is accused of playing a central role in decimating the Jewish population in Lithuania during World War II.

Federal prosecutors supported their case with captured records from the Lithuanian Central State Archives. The records indicate that Lileikis ordered the arrests of people who were suspected of being Jewish or who had hidden children from the Nazis.

When asked by prosecutors whether he lied to U.S. immigrations official to get into the country some 50 years ago, Lileikis refused to answer. He cannot be tried in the United States for war crimes, but can be deported for covering up his wartime activities.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center
Usenet: soc.culture.jewish.holocaust

Certain newsgroups may not be available on your news server.

Texas tests the weight of race in higher education

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Clinton administration has come down on the side of affirmative action in a court case that may affect who can get into colleges across the nation.

The Supreme Court is considering whether the University of Texas Law School should consider an applicant's race. An appeals court said no in March, but the state of Texas took its appeal to the Supreme Court, asking that the school be forced to continue its affirmative action program.

A Justice Department official has filed a brief stating that if the ruling stands, it will prolong the effects of past segregation. The case may be decided by early July.

University of Texas Law School
U.S. Justice Department

Two die in blaze at Miami Beach high-rise

MIAMI BEACH, Florida (CNN) -- Two people died and more than 80 were injured Friday morning when a fire broke out in a 15-story apartment building.

One man fell to his death while apparently trying to reach a nearby balcony, and another died at the hospital after being rescued from the building. A third roommate escaped safely.

Firefighters' response was slowed down as they tried to maneuver around double- and triple-parked cars. The apartments, built in 1960, lacked a sprinkler system.

Fourteen people, including two firefighters, were taken to hospitals, and police said 68 others were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation.

Teen in taped vandalism spree sentenced to prison

LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- One of the four teenagers made infamous by their videotaped vandalism spree last November on the streets of a Los Angeles suburb pleaded guilty Friday to felony charges and was sentenced to prison.

The teens made a video of two nights of cruising that showed them shooting pedestrians with a paint pellet gun and using a baseball bat to bash car windows and a bicyclist. (848K QuickTime movie)

Ruffy Flores, 18, who operated the camera, pleaded guilty to one count of felony vandalism and three counts of assault in Van Nuys Superior Court. Flores was sentenced to two years in state prison, according to prosecutor Bob Cohen.

The three other teens are due in court next Friday. Cohen said any settlement with the remaining suspects would involve stiffer sentences than that of Flores.

Mediator goes on horseback to meet with Freemen

BRUSETT, Montana (CNN) -- Montana state Rep. Karl Ohs rode to the Freemen ranch on horseback Friday afternoon for an hour-long visit attempting to renew talks between the separatist group and the FBI. Upon his departure, he said he was not sure whether mediation talks would continue. The Freemen have been holed up in their ranch for 61 days.

The Freemen are being threatened with a power blackout if they do not give up their stand. The FBI trucked in two electrical generators Thursday that could be used to keep power flowing to neighboring farms if and when agents decide to cut power to the ranch.

However, according to two Freemen who called in to a radio talk show Thursday evening, the strategy will not work because they have "adequate supplies and knowledge" to stay on the ranch for several years, even without power. (254K AIFF or WAV sound) They also told the host of "The American Freedom Network's John Bryant Show" that they wanted promises of a "common law grand jury hearing' before they would end the standoff.

Clinton gets annual physical exam

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Clinton traveled to Bethesda Naval Hospital Friday for his annual physical exam. After a series of tests that lasted three hours, the president told reporters he feels great.

Last year, the president weighed in at 216 pounds, his blood pressure was within normal range at 128 over 80, and his cholesterol level was at 203, considered borderline high.

Related site:

White House Press Release of President Clinton's 1995 Physical Examination

Investigators look for cause of California fires

BAKERSFIELD, California (CNN) -- Investigators on Friday looked for clues to the origin of a fire that burned more than 2,500 acres near Bakersfield, California (613 QuickTime movie) .

Investigators suspected arson after six separate fires were reported within a five mile range in 30 minutes. High winds hampered the efforts to contain the fire.

Related story:

Wildfires blaze in three Western states - April 29, 1996
Yesterday's Briefs