Today's News-Saturday April, 26th

COALDALE - A Tamaqua man has survived a 500-footfall into an inactive strip mine. Police say 23-year-old Nathan Bowman of Tamaqua was trespassing on coal-company property when he slipped and fell into the massive Springdale Pit overnight Friday. Coaldale Police Chief Timothy Delaney says Bowman survived a sheer drop onto a rock ledge hundreds of feet down. Rescuers used a basket to lift Bowman out. He's in serious condition at Saint Luke's Hospital. Delaney says Bowman is obviously extremely lucky to be alive. He says, "It wasn't his time."

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - Turkey has launched new airstrikes against Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq. The Turkish military says it's targeting rebels who were trying to infiltrate the country. The strikes took place yesterday and early this morning.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) - The suspected mastermind behind the 9-11 terror attacks has met with a defense attorney for the first time ahead of his death-penalty trial. The 2 and-1-2-half-hour meeting came at Guantanamo Bay, where Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (HAH'-leed shayk moh-HAH'-med) is being held.

RENO, Nev. (AP) - Another earthquake has rattled Reno, Nevada. The 4.7 magnitude quake knocked pictures off walls and sent rocks off hillsides last night. There are no reports of injuries or major damage. It hit an area where a swarm of more than 100 quakes were felt Thursday.

CHICAGO (AP) - The driver of a tractor-trailer has been treated and released from a Chicago hospital after his semi slammed into a bus stop and train station, killing two. Police are questioning the driver, but he hasn't been arrested.

NEW YORK (AP) - The Justice Department is considering whether to bring a federal case against three New York City police officers acquitted in state court of the 50-shot killing of an unarmed man in 2006. The Reverend Al Sharpton has planned a rally in protest of the verdict today.

NAGANO, Japan (AP) - Demonstrators for and against China met the Olympic torch in Japan during today's run through the streets of Nagano. Two people were arrested for trying to charge the flame, while a third was arrested for throwing eggs at it. The flame now moves to South Korea on the international relay ahead of the Beijing Games.

NEW YORK (AP) - The Reverend Al Sharpton has planned a rally today to keep the pressure on three New York City police officers acquitted in the 2006 50-shot killing of an unarmed man. The Justice Department says it's considering whether to bring a federal case against the officers.

SAN ANGELO, Texas (AP) - A Texas court has rejected an effort by the mothers of a polygamous sect to keep their children out of foster care. The more than 460 children were seized in a raid on the compound earlier this month amid allegations of abuse.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Democratic party leaders will consider a plan next month to award half-delegates for the disputed Michigan and Florida presidential primaries. The states were stripped of their delegates because they held their elections too early.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A Philadelphia gas station has offered some brotherly love to drivers. For 76 minutes starting at noon yesterday, the station offered gas for just 76 cents a gallon in a promotion tied to the Philadelphia 76ers playoff run. Drivers began lining up around 6:30 in the morning and about 100 made it through before the line was cut off.

TORONTO (AP) - A strike has put the brakes on public transportation in Canada's largest city. The Ontario government has asked the Toronto Transit Commission and its workers to return to the bargaining table this afternoon.

WHEELER ARMY AIRFIELD, Hawaii (AP) - An Army sergeant says his acquittal of murder in the killing of an unarmed Iraqi last year "was a long time coming." Trey Corrales claimed the shooting fell under the rules of engagement during a raid on a suspected insurgent hideout.

GAZA CTIY, Gaza Strip (AP) - Heavy fire has broken out between Israeli troops and Palestinian gunmen in northern Gaza. Medics say one Palestinian has been killed. The clashes began Saturday when an Israeli undercover force entered a border area.

LOS ANGELES (AP) - An appeals court has upheld a civil verdict finding actor Robert Blake liable for his wife's 2001 death. However, the court cut a 30 million-dollar jury award in half. A criminal court had acquitted Blake of the killing of Bonny Lee Bakley in 2005.

OLANA BEACH, Calif. (AP) - A shark believed to be a great white has killed a 66-year-old swimmer with a single, giant bite across both legs. Witnesses say the victim had been training with a group of triathletes off a Southern California beach. One of the group says the seal-hunting shark may have confused the wet-suited swimmers with his prey.

ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) - Rescuers marvel that a man survived a 500-foot fall into a Pennsylvania strip mine Friday. But Nathan Bowman's troubles aren't over yet. He's in serious condition and facing charges, including trespassing.