American Scene

CALIFORNIA

Touch-screen Nano part of new lineup

SAN FRANCISCO — Apple Inc. CEO Steve Jobs announced a new line of iPods on Wednesday, including a Nano model that has a touch screen and lacks buttons.

Like previous versions, the Nano has a built-in FM tuner and can display photos. But instead of buttons, controls for playing, pausing and selecting music are right on the screen. It will cost $149 for the 8 gigabyte version and $179 for 16 gigabytes.

In a refresh to the iPod Touch, Apple is adding video-chat features similar to the newest iPhone. It has a front-facing camera for conducting video chats with other iPod Touch and iPhone users over Wi-Fi using Apple’s FaceTime program. A camera on the back can be used for taking snapshots and recording video. Prices range from $229 to $399.

INDIANA

Lindh seeks group prayer in prison

INDIANAPOLIS — American-born Taliban fighter John Walker Lindh and another Muslim inmate have asked a judge to overturn a rule limiting group prayer in the highly restrictive unit at a federal prison in Terre Haute where they are being held.

The American Civil Liberties Union made the request on behalf of Lindh and fellow inmate Enaam Arnaout.

The inmates claim that a rule limiting them to praying alone in their cells except for once a day during Ramadan violates an Islamic requirement that they pray five times a day, preferably in a group.

Lindh wrote in a legal declaration that the Koran requires a clean place for prayer and he’s forced to kneel in his cell in close proximity to his toilet.

The government denies it is violating the prisoners’ rights.

MICHIGAN

U.S. auto sales turn frail in August

DETROIT — Auto sales, once a bright spot in the economic recovery, grew fainter last month.

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