BERLIN – German federal prosecutors have dropped a much-criticized treason investigation of two journalists over their reports on secret plans to expand online surveillance in Germany. Website Netzpolitik.org was notified of the investigation of its founder and another journalist in late July. Justice Minister Heiko Maas questioned federal prosecutors’ decision …
Read More »Engine trouble keeps Newark-bound flight from taking off at San Francisco airport
SAN FRANCISCO – Officials say a flight bound for Newark, New Jersey, never made it off the runway after engine troubles forced the plane to abort takeoff at San Francisco International Airport San Francisco airport duty manager Nancie Parker said the craft was towed back to the gate and there …
Read More »Lawyer: Chelsea Manning faces possible solitary confinement for alleged prison infractions
WICHITA, Kan. – The lawyer for convicted national security leaker Chelsea Manning says her client faces charges for alleged prison infractions that carry a possible maximum sentence of indefinite solitary confinement. Defense attorney Nancy Hollander said Wednesday an Aug. 18 hearing is set at the military prison at Fort Leavenworth, …
Read More »California man fights off black bear, drives to hospital
FRESNO, Calif. – Wildlife authorities say a 67-year-old California man fought off a black bear that attacked him from behind then drove himself to a hospital. Lt. Chris Stoots of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said such attacks are rare, but black bear encounters are on the rise …
Read More »Iran gives UN agency documents linked to probe of alleged work on nuclear weapons
VIENNA – Iran has given the U.N. nuclear agency documents linked to the agency’s probe of allegations that Tehran tried to develop atomic arms. The U.N.’s International Atomic Energy Agency says Iran also provided an explanation of what the documents mean. The agency gave no details. But any Iranian explanation …
Read More »Ohio trooper advertised 'traffic stop sex' on Craigslist, pursued female victim on Facebook
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Records show that an Ohio state trooper accused of forcing female motorists into sexual acts in exchange for dropping traffic charges used Craigslist to offer “traffic stop sex.” The records also show that trooper Bryan Lee sent multiple Facebook messages to a female passenger he photographed without …
Read More »Truck drives over embankment, crashes into fisheries pond in Washington state; 4 people killed
TULALIP, Wash. – Authorities say a truck drove off a roadway, over a concrete embankment and into a fisheries pond in western Washington state, killing the driver and all three passengers. A spokeswoman for the Snohomish (snoh-HOH’-mish) County sheriff’s office says a call came in around 3:30 a.m. Tuesday that …
Read More »Global stock markets fall again amid China worries
Worries about the health of China’s economy shook markets again Friday, hitting stocks in Asia and Europe. Signs of a sharp slowdown in the world’s second-largest economy have rattled investors since Beijing surprised markets last week by devaluing its currency. On Friday, an early gauge of China’s factory activity fell …
Read More »Nepal opens Everest to climbers for 1st time since avalanche
KATHMANDU, Nepal – Nepal has opened Mount Everest to climbers for the first time since an earthquake-triggered avalanche in April killed 19 mountaineers and ended the popular spring climbing season. Japanese climber Nobukazu Kuriki will be the first to attempt to scale the world’s highest peak since the quake. Nepal’s …
Read More »Prescription for a healthier nation: Support our most vulnerable (foster) kids
It’s midnight, and a tired and hungry fourteen-year-old girl walks down the street alone and scared. Where will she sleep tonight? How will she survive on her own? She knows that leaving home was her only choice, since staying with the abuse was not an option. That fourteen-year-old girl was …
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