Nation in brief: Imam in terror case deported

NEW YORK – The imam entangled in the investigation into a suicide bomb plot against New York City subway stations left the U.S. Monday on court orders after admitting he lied to the FBI. Among his final words on U.S. soil, his lawyer says, were “God bless America.”

Ahmad Wais Afzali and his wife Fatima took off on a Saudi Arabian Airlines flight to Jeddah and then will go on to Mecca, said the lawyer, Ron Kuby.

Afzali pleaded guilty April 15 in the federal case and was sentenced to time served – four days – but ordered to leave the country in 90 days.

Firefighters make

headway on fires

LAS VEGAS – Firefighters in Nevada contained one fire in the mountains northwest of Las Vegas and reported good progress on another that burned more than a dozen buildings in a small ranching town.

The Bureau of Land Management said the fire that burned 600 acres and destroyed 15 buildings in the ranch community of Moapa was 50 percent contained as of midday Monday.

The fire was sparked by a wood chipper Thursday about 50 miles northeast of Las Vegas.

Meanwhile, firefighters contained the 20-acre Cathedral fire on Mount Charleston that was caused by an illegal campfire. The U.S. Forest Service said about 35 firefighters were continuing mop-up efforts and removing tree hazards.

Manson follower

up for parole

LOS ANGELES – A Charles Manson follower long seen as the most likely to win eventual freedom is facing her 19th parole hearing at the women’s prison at Frontera.

Leslie Van Houten has a new lawyer who will argue at today’s hearing that it is time for her release.

Van Houten was 19 when she participated in the slayings of grocers Leno and Rosemary La Bianca a day after the Manson Family slaughtered actress Sharon Tate and four others.

Van Houten, now 60, did not participate in the Tate killings.