Nation in brief

Pharmacist is given 30 years for dilutions

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A pharmacist who diluted chemotherapy drugs given to thousands of cancer patients was sentenced to the maximum of 30 years in prison Thursday after the victims' families tearfully told how the scheme had cost them precious days with their loved ones.

"Your crimes are a shock to the civilized conscience," U.S. District Judge Ortrie Smith told Robert R. Courtney. "They are beyond understanding."

Courtney, 50, was also ordered to pay $10.4-million in restitution and a $25,000 fine. He showed no emotion as the judge announced his sentence.

Military remains come home from Asia

HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii -- Remains believed to be those of U.S. servicemen killed in Laos and Vietnam -- including an American pilot who died during the Cold War -- were returned to U.S. soil in a ceremony Thursday.

One of the five sets of remains may be those of James B. McGovern -- better known as "Earthquake McGoon," who became a household name for his daring exploits in China and Southeast Asia 50 years ago -- or his co-pilot Wallace A. Buford.

The two men were shot down in Southern Laos in the last days of the French Indochina war.

McGovern, 31, a former World War II fighter ace, and 28-year-old Buford were flying under secret contract to the CIA when they were killed May 6, 1954. A French flight engineer also died in the crash.

Canadian telemarketers to pay for lottery scheme

WASHINGTON -- Canadian telemarketers have agreed to repay U.S. consumers about $1-million to settle federal charges that they deceived elderly people with a lottery scheme.

The telemarketers from Vancouver, British Columbia, operating as Canada Prepaid Legal Services and BSI Premium Bonds, sold consumers fake lottery bonds with promises that buyers would qualify for cash prizes, the Federal Trade Commission said Thursday. The consumers who paid received nothing of value.

The crossborder sale or purchase of lottery tickets by phone or mail is illegal in the United States.

Air Force pilots in U.S. won't fly today

WASHINGTON -- In response to a series of recent mishaps, Air Force pilots based in the United States will not fly today.

Gen. Hal M. Hornburg, commander of Air Combat Command, said all air crews will conduct mandatory training to focus on "flight discipline, task prioritization and flight and maintenance procedures."

Having the entire Air Force combat fleet based in this country take a day off to focus on safety is unusual but not unprecedented.

Hearst agrees not to build resort at San Simeon

SAN SIMEON, Calif. -- Hearst Corp. has dropped plans to develop a resort on Hearst Ranch and instead will work with an environmental group to largely preserve the 82,000-acre property.

Hearst, which wanted to build a resort at San Simeon Point, said this week it will now work with the American Land Conservancy to preserve the ranch and be compensated for it. The Hearst Castle is already a state park.

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