The wife of a slain minister has confessed to killing him, police in Selmer, Tennessee, said today. Police said the Alabama Bureau of Investigation, which is taking part in questioning Mary Winkler, informed them of the confession. Winkler, 32, faces a charge of first-degree murder for the death of her husband, Matthew Winkler, 31. Church member Pam Killingsworth described Mary Winkler as always seeming like "the perfect mother, the perfect wife," with very loving children. Police say the couple's three children, who were with their mother, are in "very good condition."

The wife of a slain minister has confessed to killing him, police in Selmer, Tennessee, said today. Police said the Alabama Bureau of Investigation, which is taking part in questioning Mary Winkler, informed them of the confession. Winkler, 32, faces a charge of first-degree murder for the death of her husband, Matthew Winkler, 31. Church member Pam Killingsworth described Mary Winkler as always seeming like "the perfect mother, the perfect wife," with very loving children.

AFP - China confirmed that a 29-year-old woman has died of bird flu, as the nation's biggest city stepped up measures to prevent the potential spread of the disease.

AP - Dave Checketts is buying the St. Louis Blues, ending a 10-month search for a buyer that led the NHL club to sell off many of its top players.

AFP - A Japanese court for the first time ordered the suspension of an operating nuclear reactor due to safety concerns after residents said the plant would be at risk in an earthquake.

AFP - China's shoe makers will appeal Europe's decision to slap anti-dumping tariffs on their leather products amid concerns the duties will have a major impact on local industry, state press has said.

AP - Many worried Republicans on the ballot in November have been pushing away from the White House, not wanting to be dragged under by President Bush's sinking approval ratings and growing anxiety over Iraq. That doesn't mean they're also fleeing his cash offerings, however.

AP - Adam Morrison isn't about to make a quick decision on whether to turn pro and skip his final season at Gonzaga. The nation's leading scorer played in what might have been his last game for the Bulldogs on Thursday, a heartbreaking 73-71 loss to UCLA in the third round of the NCAA tournament.

AP - Luc Richard Mbah a Moute provided a shocking ending to Adam Morrison's amazing season. Mbah a Moute scored underneath with 10 seconds left and the second-seeded Bruins scored the final 11 points of the game to knock out Morrison and third-seeded Gonzaga 73-71 Thursday night to advance to the regional final.

AFP - Belarussian riot police seized hundreds of protestors as they swept away an opposition camp in central Minsk, ending an act of unprecedented defiance against veteran President Alexander Lukashenko.

AP - IMMIGRATION BATTLE: President Bush sided with business leaders who want legislation to allow some immigrants stay in the country and work for a set period of time.

Reuters - The U.N. Security Council agreed on Thursday to ask Secretary-General Kofi Annan to greatly speed planning for a new U.N. force in Sudan's western Darfur region.

AP - New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada was released from the hospital on Thursday, one day after being admitted for a broken nose.

AP - Without firing a shot, U.S. and British forces stormed a house Thursday and freed three Christian peace activists who were bound but unguarded, ending a four-month hostage ordeal that saw an American in the group killed and dumped along a railroad track.

AP - Left-handed snails are better than righties at defending against predators, according to a new study that suggests lefties have the same competitive advantage in nature that they enjoy on the baseball diamond or in the boxing ring.

AP - Left-handed snails are better than righties at defending against predators, according to a new study that suggests lefties have the same competitive advantage in nature that they enjoy on the baseball diamond or in the boxing ring.

AP - The Toronto Raptors waived Antonio Davis on Thursday, effectively ending a season in which the center was suspended for five games for climbing into the stands after his wife got into a confrontation with a fan in Chicago.

CourtTV - TUCSON, Ariz. (Court TV) — = The judge's robe was exchanged for a black overcoat; a sheriff's = department floodlight cast long shadows over the ghostly chalk outlines = of Dr. Brian Stidham's body; jurors wandered around to see where his = blood fell; and a court reporter sat in a chair in the parking lot = taking notes on a cool, windy desert night.

AFP - Housing is a top priority for Hurricane Katrina victims now, but social ties with family and friends will play an increasing role in the struggle to recover, according to two Japanese disaster experts.

AP - Bears cornerback Jerry Azumah retired Thursday because of neck and hip pain the past two seasons, ending a seven-year career with Chicago in which he made the Pro Bowl in 2003.