Here’s a look at some of the day’s top stories from WTOP:
US officials: Airstrikes may have disrupted attack planning
WASHINGTON — The FBI and Homeland Security say U.S. airstrikes on militants in Syria may have temporarily disrupted attack planning against Western targets, including the U.S.
But they say there’s no indication of a plot by al-Qaida or the Islamic State group for an attack inside the United States. The U.S. and five Arab allies carried out more than 200 airstrikes against the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq late Monday.
World leaders meet with multiple crises on agenda
UNITED NATIONS — Leaders from more than 140 countries open their annual meeting at the United Nations on Wednesday.
They’re faced with a world in turmoil from multiple crises ranging from wars in the Mideast and Africa, to the threat of the militant Islamic State group, to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.
President Barack Obama chairs a Security Council meeting at which members are expected to adopt a resolution that would require all countries to prevent the recruitment and transport of foreign fighters preparing to join terrorist groups.
Pastor: UPS gunman was `troubled’ over work
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — A pastor says the man who killed two former co-workers and then himself at a UPS warehouse had told some people that he was having problems at work but never suggested that the situation might turn violent.
A law enforcement official, speaking on condition of anonymity because the official was not authorized to release the information, identified the shooter as Joe Tesney.
Police said earlier Tuesday that an ex-employee who had been fired just a day ago entered the sorting facility through a truck dock door and opened fire, killing a supervisor and another worker.
Suspect charged in case of missing UVa student
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Police are on the hunt for the man they believe was the last person seen with a University of Virginia student before she disappeared.
Jesse Leroy Matthew Jr. has been charged with abducting 18-year-old Hannah Graham, has been missing since Sept. 13.
Matthew was last seen Saturday when he stopped by a police station with his mother and uncle to ask for a lawyer. Police say he sped away, losing officers who had him under surveillance.
New photos show toll of age, prison on pop legend
LOS ANGELES — Two newly released photos of Phil Spector show the toll of age and prison on the once flamboyant music legend.
The most recent photo shows a bald, somber-looking 73-year-old Spector staring straight into the camera on Oct. 28, 2013. An earlier photo of a smiling Spector is dated July 24, 2013.
Ban sought on children working on tobacco farms
WASHINGTON — Thirty-five House Democrats are calling on the Obama administration to prohibit children from working on tobacco farms.
The lawmakers are suggesting the restriction in a letter to Labor Secretary Thomas Perez.
They cite a Human Rights Watch report which found that nearly three-quarters of the children it interviewed reported symptoms of nicotine poisoning from handling tobacco plants. The symptoms include nausea and headaches.
A killer show with sharp humor
The Stephen Sondheim musical has always been one of the weirder hits in the history of Broadway in its 35 years, and Virginia Opera celebrates its 40th season with a new production. On WTOP’s Entertainment page, find out the appeal of the show and the long history the Virginia director has with the play.
Putting the phone back in the smartphone
How often do you talk on your smartphone? We tap away at them constantly, sending texts and emails, but we don’t actually use then as phones that often. A former Microsoft executive says that’s “very mechanical and very transactional,” and he’s developed an app to send the equivalent of text messages in the spoken word. On WTOP’s Tech page, read how it works and some similar apps that seek to bring the emotions of the human voice back into electronic communication.
The pros and cons of “big organic”
As more and more people take up organic eating, those companies that were once small and independent are getting bought up by big companies such as General Mills. What does this mean for the companies? What does it mean for the food? On WTOP’s Living page, Rachel Nania breaks down the changes that are coming to a grocery store near you.
A different domestic violence story in sports
Hope Solo, the star soccer goalie, was recently arrested and charged with domestic violence, just as Ray Rice and other NFL players have been. But she hasn’t been suspended from the U.S. Women’s National Team, and her case hasn’t received nearly the attention of the football players’. Is there a double standard at work here?
Not really, Noah Frank writes — there are real differences between the cases and the leagues, though the national team has made mistakes too. He talks with USA Today’s Christine Brennan about what’s happening and what should be done.
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