The West German government denied U.S. requests to extradite him, putting him on trial there instead. Found guilty of hijacking, hostage-taking and the murder of Stethem, he was sentenced in 1989 to life imprisonment.

But in December 2005, despite U.S. objections, Germany freed Hamadi and allowed him to return to Beirut, where some reports said he had rejoined Hizballah.

Since Hamadi walked free, Stethem's family has been campaigning for Lebanon to hand him over. They met with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in February 2006.

A year ago, Hamadi was added to the FBI's list of "most-wanted terrorists," established after 9/11, with a reward of up to $5 million on his head.

(Two other Hizballah members indicted in the U.S. along with Mughniyah in connection with the TWA hijacking, Hassan Izz-al-Din and Ali Atwa, remain at large and are also believed to be in Lebanon.

Scandal tarnishes academy program

One of the midshipmen and two civilian women who say they were unwittingly videotaped have hired an attorney who said he will file a lawsuit, which would likely examine the academy's oversight of the vast program, as well as a number of dark episodes in its past.

Whatever the outcome of either case, both will highlight what critics said they believe has long been apparent: Some sponsors have too cozy a relationship with midshipmen and have become too permissive.

"The sponsor program started out as a great program, and it was originally very limited to when you could visit," said W. Minor Carter, a 1962 graduate and Annapolis resident. "Now, it's obvious that a lot of midshipmen are allowed free access to liquor and privacy with the opposite sex. While the thought of the sex tapes is horrific, the fact that a guy was openly providing an opportunity for midshipmen to have sex at his house is outrageous."

Academy officials admit that they don't have the funding or staffing to closely monitor what happens in sponsor homes.

Saving on phones, gifts, trips

Smart spending advice is all around, and deals abound in all categories of spending. Sometimes it can be a quick tip that provides the "ah-hah!" moment - the figurative light bulb goes on and "ka-ching," money stays in your pocket.

Here's a list of tips and insights, from holiday spending to phone services.

Taxi driver robbed in armed stickup

A taxi driver was robbed at gunpoint about 12:05 a.m. Jan. 19 as he responded to a call for service in the 100 block of 11th Street.

The driver arrived outside an apartment building and got out to see if there was a customer. A man nearby waved to him then approached, pulled out a handgun and held it to the driver's throat and demanded money.

The robber grabbed a bag out of the cab with $98 and ran away.

- A food deliveryman escaped being robbed about 9:40 p.m. Jan. 19 in the 900 block of Plaza Drive. The man was delivering to a home that turned out to be vacant. When he returned to his car and got in, a man with a handgun demanded his money. The delivery man rolled up his window, drove away and contacted police.

- A 24-year-old man was arrested and charged with theft of a firearm following a traffic stop about 10:15 p.m.

Refugees seek sanctuary from tribal bloodbath

They came early in the morning when my wife was dressing the children. They broke down the door and pulled us out," said Nyanga Mingi, 36. "I was forced to kneel while they held a panga [machete] to my head. I prayed to God for my children not to see.