Around the Nation

Jackson to seek Iraq hostage release

JACKSON, Miss. — The Rev. Jesse Jackson will contact religious leaders in Iraq to seek the release of Thomas Hamill, the American civilian truck driver abducted in Iraq, Mr. Hamill’s wife said yesterday.

Kellie Hamill, who has been pleading in the news media for her husband’s release, said Mr. Jackson made the offer last week and she asked him to intervene.

Sen. Trent Lott, Mississippi Republican, said Friday at a press conference in Tupelo, Miss., he had talked with Mr. Jackson and helped the longtime civil rights advocate contact the Hamill family.

Mr. Lott said one step Mr. Jackson wanted to take was to write a letter to Al Jazeera, the Arabic language television network, and encourage Mr. Hamill’s release.

There was no immediate response to messages seeking comment from Mr. Jackson’s Rainbow/PUSH coalition in Chicago yesterday.

Agents raid warehouse in hunt for weapons

SAN LEANDRO, Calif. — Dozens of federal, state and local law enforcement agents searched a warehouse near Oakland International Airport yesterday for weapons including rocket launchers, officials said.

Federal officials would not reveal the exact nature of the investigation, but they said the search was not related to terrorism.

“We seized a few documents. Other than that, it’s an ongoing investigation,” said Marti McKee, a spokeswoman for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. “We will continue to look until all investigative leads are exhausted.”

Five men who were detained for questioning Friday have all been released, Miss McKee said.

Federal officials confirmed Saturday that rocket launchers and other military weaponry were among the items sought by authorities.

Apartment fire kills 5, injures 12

NEW YORK — Fire swept through a three-story apartment building early yesterday, killing five persons and injuring a dozen others, and forcing some residents to climb out windows to safety, fire officials said.

The cause of the fire, reported just before 5:30 a.m., was under investigation, but “anytime you have a fire at this hour of the morning with that advanced state upon arrival, it’s suspicious,” Fire Chief Frank Cruthers said.

Four adults and a child died, and three firefighters were among the 12 persons who were injured, according to Chief Cruthers.

Pit bulls maul 8-year-old boy

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — An 8-year-old boy was mauled to death by his father’s four pit bulls, and prosecutors were considering charges against the father ranging from child neglect to murder.

Roddie Philip Dumas Jr. was attacked in the fenced-in yard of his father’s home Friday. Neighbors and a postal worker who heard the boy’s screams rushed to the scene.

The boy’s father, Roddie Philip Dumas Sr., 29, and his girlfriend were inside the house but did not come outside until the dogs had already severely injured the boy, officials said.

After searching Mr. Dumas’ home, police charged him with drug and firearms felonies.

Prosecutors were considering additional charges ranging from child neglect to murder, although a murder charge is rare in such cases. Police said they want to find out why the boy was unsupervised and whether the adults in the house heard him cry for help.

Driver’s license bill for illegals dropped

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A bill backed by Gov. Jeb Bush that would have allowed illegal immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses has been abandoned by its sponsor after law enforcement officials raised security concerns.

Republican state Sen. Rudy Garcia said he would propose studying the issue before next year’s legislative session begins.

It was the latest setback to efforts to grant licenses to illegal immigrants.

Four months ago, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger repealed a law that would have allowed about 2 million illegal immigrant drivers there to begin applying for licenses. He cited domestic security concerns as a reason for his decision.

Mr. Bush said Saturday that he would continue to work with law enforcement to try to improve the measure before the next session. Sheriffs questioned whether other countries can provide acceptable criminal background checks.