Italian police probe slaying of Florida woman in Florence

FLORENCE, Italy (AP) – Police vowed “maximum attention” Sunday to find the killer of an American found dead in her Florence apartment as Italy’s expat community expressed hope that the case won’t turn into another Amanda Knox-style, drawn-out, headline-grabbing legal saga. Police opened a murder investigation Saturday after 35-year-old Ashley Olsen of Summer Haven, Florida, […]

Sales tax not stopping Oregon pot shoppers

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Oregon’s recreational marijuana consumers, at least those who opt to shop in dispensaries, seem to be taking a new state sales tax in stride, many dispensary owners say. On Jan. 1, after a three-month tax holiday, Oregon imposed a 25 percent sales tax on recreational marijuana sales. The tax will eventually […]

2 men arrested in Collier County human trafficking operation

NAPLES, Fla.- Two men have been arrested, and four victims rescued, following a six-month human trafficking investigation, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) announced on Monday. Gregory Alexander Hines, 34, and Keith Bernard Lewis, 58, are accused of coercing victims to commit sexual acts, and were taken into custody on Friday. CCSO began investigating the men after […]

House moves on North Korea sanctions bill after bomb test

WASHINGTON (AP) – The House pushed ahead on legislation that seeks to punish North Korea for its latest nuclear test by expanding sanctions on Pyongyang, a move with strong bipartisan support despite questions over how effective the new restrictions can be. Lawmakers are scheduled to vote Tuesday on the North Korea Sanctions Enforcement Act, which […]

Prosecutors won’t charge Odom after Nevada brothel weekend

LAS VEGAS (AP) – Nye County prosecutors say they won’t charge Lamar Odom after the former NBA star was found unconscious at a Nevada brothel with cocaine in his system. District Attorney Angela Bello said Monday the evidence didn’t prove that Odom used the drug during his three days in the county, so he could […]

Pistorius asks top court to hear appeal of murder conviction

JOHANNESBURG (AP) – Oscar Pistorius has appealed his murder conviction for killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp to South Africa’s Constitutional Court, a lawyer for the double-amputee Olympian said Monday. “We filed papers with the Constitutional Court today asking them to grant us leave to appeal,” defense lawyer Andrew Fawcett said. Pistorius’ lawyers have not said on […]

Turkey arrests Egypt family of 12 on way to join IS in Syria

CAIRO (AP) – Turkish authorities have arrested an Egyptian family of 12 that was trying to cross into Syria to join the Islamic State group, Egypt’s Foreign Ministry said on Monday. The family, which includes three children, was arrested in the southern Turkish city of Adana, near the country’s border with war-devastated Syria, according to […]

Spain: Landmark fraud trial starts for Princess Cristina

PALMA DE MALLORCA, Spain (AP) – Spain’s Princess Cristina spent 12 hours in court Monday at the start of her landmark criminal case, confronting accusations of bankrolling a lavish lifestyle with funds her husband received from an alleged scheme to embezzle millions from public contracts for conferences and sporting events. Cristina and her husband, Inaki […]

Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, US seek roadmap to peace

ISLAMABAD (AP) – Four countries __ Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and the United States __ were cloistered away late into the night Monday trying to lay a foundation they hope will eventually lead to peace talks between the Afghan government and Taliban fighters. But in the end, the biggest decision that appeared to be reached was […]

IS claims responsibility for Baghdad mall attack

BAGHDAD (AP) – The Islamic State group is claiming responsibility for the Baghdad mall attack that killed 18 people on Monday. Gunmen stormed into a Baghdad mall after setting off a car bomb and launching a suicide attack at its entrance. Iraqi officials say the attack which lasted over an hour killed at least 18 […]