Libya rebels gear up for fight against forces loyal to Gadhafi
ZAWIYA, Libya (AP) — Hundreds of armed anti-government forces backed by military defectors who control the city closest to the capital of Tripoli prepared Sunday to repel an expected offensive by forces loyal to Moammar Gadhafi surrounding Zawiya.
Two prominent U.S. Senators said Washington should recognize and arm a provisional government in rebel-held areas of eastern Libya and impose a no-fly zone over the area — enforced by U.S. warplanes — to stop attacks by the regime.
North Korea threatens to enlarge arsenal, attack South Korea, US
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea threatened Sunday to enlarge its nuclear arsenal and “mercilessly” attack South Korea and the United States, as the allies prepared for joint military drills which the North considers a rehearsal for invasion. North Korea routinely issues threats over the annual joint military drills, but its latest warning could rekindle tensions that rose sharply after two recent deadly incidents blamed on the North.
North Korea called the South Korea-U.S. drills, which begin Monday, a “dangerous military scheme.”
Arab League boss Amr Moussa to run for president in Egypt this year
CAIRO (AP) — Arab League chief Amr Moussa, a popular career diplomat, said Sunday he plans to run in Egypt’s presidential election expected later this year.
Moussa, a former foreign minister, declared his candidacy a day after a constitutional reform panel appointed by the country’s new military rulers recommended far-reaching reforms that relaxed eligibility rules governing who can run for president.
Rallies at Wis. Capitol support fight against anti-union bill
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Protesters are turning out nationwide to support teachers, firefighters and other public workers holding steady at the Wisconsin Capitol in their fight against legislation aimed at weakening unions.
Union supporters organized rallies from New York to Los Angeles in a show of solidarity Saturday as the protest in Madison entered its 12th day and attracted more than 70,000 people, the largest crowd yet.
Soldier impersonators target women in web scams
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Scamsters are targeting women on Facebook in what’s becoming an all-too-common ruse: They steal photos of soldiers to set up profiles, profess their love and devotion in sappy messages — and then ask their victims to cut a check.
Army Sgt. James Hursey, 26, discharged and sent home from war in Iraq to nurse a back injury, found a page with his photos on Facebook — on a profile that wasn’t his.
It was fake, set up by someone claiming to be an active-duty soldier looking for love.
Prosecutors say New Orleans teen charged with 4 December slayings
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A teenager, already jailed in an assault case, has been indicted in four slayings in New Orleans last December. The Times-Picayune reports the indictment was made public Friday and includes three slayings that occurred on one night in the St. Roch area.
The 16-year-old has already been indicted on attempted murder and aggravated burglary charges in the assault of a woman on Dec. 23, 2010, in New Orleans.
Prosecutors say a state grand jury handed up a 19-count indictment against the youth after an extensive investigation.
Historic one-room school house struck from national register
BURNSIDE (AP) — The National Park Service has removed a one-room schoolhouse that was among Louisiana’s first Roman Catholic schools for black children from the National Register of Historic Places. The St. Joseph’s School building in Ascension Parish was “delisted” in June on the recommendation of state historic preservation officials and at the request of the building’s owner, Al Robert, state and federal officials said.
Listing is honorary and would not prevent demolition but could require special scrutiny if federal grants or permits are involved.