Hostage deaths a reminder of risk of ‘deadly mistakes’
WASHINGTON (AP) — Two years ago, President Barack Obama stood before a military audience and spoke of the “heartbreaking tragedy” of accidental civilian deaths caused by U.S. military strikes in the fight against terrorism in places like Pakistan and Afghanistan. Now, with news of the death of two Western hostages in a CIA drone strike — American Warren Weinstein and Italian Giovanni Lo Porto — the president has received a brutal reminder that every U.S. commander-in-chief may have to face the loss of civilians as collateral damage in wartime.
Vatican downplays terror threat, says not really concerned
MILAN (AP) — The Vatican is downplaying the significance of an alleged planned attack against the Vatican, saying the threat dates from 2010 and therefore is not relevant or of particular concern today. The Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, issued a statement after prosecutors in Sardinia revealed details of the purported plot Friday.
10 Things to Know for Today
Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today: 1. HOSTAGE DEATHS A REMINDER OF RISK OF ‘DEADLY MISTAKES’
Armenia marks centennial of killing of 1.5 million
YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) — The presidents of Russia and France joined other leaders Friday at ceremonies commemorating the massacre 100 years ago of 1.5 million Armenians by Ottoman Turks, an event which remains a diplomatic sore point for both sides. The annual April 24 commemorations mark the day when some 250 Armenian intellectuals were rounded up in what is regarded as the first step of the massacres. An estimated 1.5 million died in the massacres, deportations and forced marches that began in 1915 as Ottoman officials worried that the Christian Armenians would side with Russia, its enemy in the World War I.
More than 12 hurt as stage collapses at Indiana high school
WESTFIELD, Ind. (AP) — More than a dozen students suffered minor injuries after a stage filled with students collapsed during a musical performance at a central Indiana high school, authorities said Friday morning. Capt. Charles Hollowell of the Westfield Police Department said all of the injuries the students suffered in the collapse Thursday evening were minor, and that they are “doing really well,” including one who initially was reported in critical condition. No fatalities were reported.
Police: 14 migrants killed by train in Macedonia
SKOPJE, Macedonia (AP) — Fourteen migrants in their 20s believed to be from Afghanistan and Somalia were killed by an express train as they walked along the tracks through a narrow gorge in central Macedonia at night, police said Friday. The migrants, part of a larger group of about 30 to 40 people heading north toward the European Union, were walking north of the central Macedonian town of Veles at around 10:30 p.m. (2030 GMT) Thursday when they were hit by an express passenger train heading from the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki to the Serbian capital of Belgrade.
Comcast deal may be dead, but cable consolidation will go on
NEW YORK (AP) — Even if Comcast’s $45.2 billion bid for Time Warner Cable is dead, consolidation among the companies that pipe in our TV, phone and Internet will carry on. Combining the No. 1 and No. 2 U.S. cable companies would have put nearly 30 percent of TV and about 55 percent of broadband subscribers under one roof, along with NBCUniversal. That appeared to be too much concentration for regulators.
Rooftop restaurant provides rare bright spot in Gaza
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — When nightfall descends upon Gaza, the glittering lights of the Level Up restaurant seem to be the only bright spot in this darkened city. In a territory plagued by chronic power outages, poverty and shortages of construction materials, the restaurant defies all the rules: It’s well lit, thanks to a humming generator. The tables are crowded and hard to come by, and it is one of the few places in Gaza to rebound and relax.
Colorado shooting survivors turn to faith, forgiveness
DENVER (AP) — Nearly three years have passed since James Holmes, wearing body armor, opened fire in a deadly attack at a packed Colorado movie theater, and survivors and relatives of the 12 moviegoers who died are still trying to make sense of the shooting. They have turned to prayer, therapy and activism to recover, and now they will look to the trial, which begins Monday.
Review: Getting your Apple Watch? Here’s how to use it
NEW YORK (AP) — The first batch of Apple Watches will arrive Friday. If you haven’t ordered yours yet, you’ll have to wait a while. Apple’s retail stores won’t have them, nor will any other store in the U.S., with the company taking orders over the Internet only — for delivery as late as July for some models.
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