Blind Cleric Behind 1990s Terror Plots Dies in U.S. Prison

Omar Abdel-Rahman, the so-called Blind Sheik convicted of plotting terror attacks in New York City in the decade before 9/11 and spiritual guide to a generation of Islamic militants, has died in a federal prison. He was 78.

Abdel-Rahman, who had diabetes and coronary artery disease, died on Saturday at the Federal Correction Complex in Butner, North Carolina, said its acting executive assistant, Kenneth McKoy. The inmate spent seven years at the prison medical facility while serving a life sentence.

Blind since infancy from diabetes, Abdel-Rahman was the leader of one of Egypt’s most feared militant groups, the Gamaa Islamiya, or the “Islamic Group,” which at its height led a campaign of violence aimed at toppling that country’s onetime president, Hosni Mubarak.

Executive Order That Incarcerated Japanese Americans Turns 75

San Francisco — For years following Japan’s attack on Pear Harbor, roughly 120,000 Japanese immigrants and Japanese-Americans were sent to desolate camps that dotted the West because the government claimed they might plot against the U.S. Thousands were elderly, disabled, children or infants too young to know the meaning of treason. Two-thirds were citizens.

And now, as survivors commemorate the 75th anniversary of the executive order that authorized their incarceration, they’re also speaking out to make sure that what happened to them doesn’t happen to Muslims, Latinos or other groups in wake of President Donald Trump’s failed travel ban.

“We are trying to be visible allies,” said Bif Brigman, a planning-committee member for the annual pilgrimage to Minidoka, Idaho, the camp where the majority of Washington state’s internees were sent.” It’s important for them to know that we are actually here, that we understand, that we support them and that they do not have to defend themselves on their own.”

Trump said at a Thursday news conference that he would issue a replacement order sometime this week.

Officials: Texans May Have Voted Incorrectly

Austin, Texas — Texas election officials have acknowledged that hundreds of people were allowed to bypass the state’s toughest-in-the-nation voter identification law and improperly cast ballots in the November presidential election by signing a sworn statement instead of showing a photo ID.

The chief election officers in two of the state’s largest counties now are considering whether to refer cases to local prosecutors for potential perjury charges or violations of election law. Officials in many other areas said they will simply let the mistakes go, citing widespread confusion among poll workers and voters.

The Texas law requires voters to show one of seven approved forms of identification to cast ballots. It was softened in August to allow people without a driver’s license or other photo ID to sign an affidavit declaring that they have an impediment to obtaining required identification. Even after the affidavits were introduced, voters who possess an acceptable photo ID were still required to show it at the polls.

The revelations come as President Donald Trump makes frequent claims that the nation’s voting systems are vulnerable to fraud. The president has repeatedly said, without citing any evidence, that he would have won the popular vote if not for 3 million to 5 million immigrants in the country illegally who voted for his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton.

SpaceX Launch Delayed Seconds Before Liftoff

Cape Canaveral, Fla. — Last-minute rocket trouble forced SpaceX on Saturday to delay its inaugural launch from NASA’s historic moon pad.

SpaceX halted the countdown with just 13 seconds remaining. The second-stage steering issue actually cropped up several minutes earlier. But with just an instant to get the unmanned Falcon rocket airborne, flight controllers could not resolve the problem in time. The next launch attempt — provided everything can be fixed quickly — would be this morning.

The Falcon remains at Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A, the same pad where Americans flew to the moon almost a half-century ago, waiting to soar on a space station delivery mission.

McCain Slams Trump for Attacks on Media

Sen. John McCain spoke out on Saturday in defense of the free press after President Donald Trump lashed out against the news media several times over the past week, at one point declaring it “the enemy of the American People!”

Such talk, McCain, R-Ariz., said on NBC News in an interview set to air today, was “how dictators get started.”

“In other words, a consolidation of power,” McCain told Meet the Press host Chuck Todd from Munich. “When you look at history, the first thing that dictators do is shut down the press. And I’m not saying that President Trump is trying to be a dictator. I’m just saying we need to learn the lessons of history.”

“I hate the press. I hate you, especially,” he said to Todd, who laughed. “But the fact is, we need you. We need a free press. We must have it. It’s vital.”

Thimble Game Piece Voted Out of ‘Monopoly’

Atlantic City, n.j. — You can still pass “Go” and collect $200 on the Monopoly board, but you soon won’t be able to do it with the thimble game piece.

Voters have rejected the thimble, an integral part of the game since being added to Monopoly in 1935. The move is part of a campaign to select the next generation of game pieces. Hashtags, emojis and even a rubber duck may replace dogs, cats and hats in an upcoming version. Hasbro Inc. is holding a worldwide contest to let people choose the eight game tokens.

— Wire reports