NEW YORK

Time, CNN suspend Zakaria for plagiarizing paragraphs

Time editor-at-large and CNN host Fareed Zakaria has been suspended by both the magazine and the network for lifting several paragraphs by another writer for his use in a recent Time column.

Zakaria apologized Friday, declaring in a statement he made “a terrible mistake,” adding, “It is a serious lapse and one that is entirely my fault.”

In a separate statement, Time spokesman Ali Zelenko said the magazine accepts Zakaria’s apology, but would suspend his column for one month, “pending further review.”

Shortly afterward, CNN said it had removed from the network’s website a blog post that “included similar unattributed excerpts” and has taken Zakaria off the air indefinitely.

NEW ORLEANS

Subject of best-selling book accused in plot to kill three

The subject of the best-selling nonfiction book “Zeitoun” about a nightmarish incarceration during Hurricane Katrina’s aftermath is accused of plotting to murder his ex-wife, her son and another man.

Abdulrahman Zeitoun, 54, faces charges of offering $20,000 to a fellow jail inmate in exchange for the killings. Zeitoun has been jailed since late last month on charges that he beat his wife, Kathy Zeitoun, on a New Orleans street.

In the book by Dave Eggers, the Syrian-born businessman was described as a compassionate neighbor paddling a canoe through Katrina’s floodwaters and helping people before being arrested on false charges of looting. He then was thrown into prison for a month on suspicion of being a terrorist.

He was charged Thursday on three counts of solicitation for murder, records show.

MILLVILLE, Pa.

Two plead guilty to cruelty after 185 Chihuahuas seized

Two brothers accused in one of the worst cases of animal hoarding in Pennsylvania history have pleaded guilty to animal cruelty less than a month after 185 Chihuahuas were seized from their home.

Thomas and Albert Ambrosia of Benton pleaded guilty earlier this week to two counts each of cruelty and a dog law violation, according to Columbia County court records.

Thomas Ambrosia, 59, said it was difficult for them to enter a plea since they “treated the dogs like our boys and girls.” But he told the Press Enterprise of Bloomsburg that they wanted “to get this behind us.”

Veterinarians who checked the Chihuahuas — plus two other dogs that were also removed from the residence — found no serious health issues, only minor eye, teeth and skin problems, and officials say they apparently came from a loving home.

CHANTILLY, Va.

Jet clips plane on taxiway, causing both minor damage

A Lufthansa jet and a United Express commuter plane both had minor damage after the jet’s wing clipped the tail section of the turboprop on a taxiway at Dulles International Airport Friday.

Airport spokeswoman Kimberly Gibbs said no injuries were reported, and the airport continued normal operations. The accident occurred around 3:20 p.m.

Gibbs estimated the planes were probably traveling only a few miles an hour when they made contact, very close to the airport gate.

CARACAS, Venezuela

Officials suspect American is ‘mercenary,’ Chavez says

President Hugo Chavez said Venezuelan authorities have detained an American man and are interrogating him, suspecting he could be a “mercenary” plotting to destabilize the country if the opposition loses the upcoming presidential election.

Chavez told reporters on Friday that under questioning the man said he had been a U.S. Marine.

“The man has military training and he refuses to give information. That in itself is suspicious,” Chavez said on state television. 

— From news service reports