Police file on school massacre yields chilling portrait of gunman, bravery by janitor
Police file on school massacre yields chilling portrait of gunman, bravery by janitor
NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Connecticut police released thousands of pages Friday from their investigation into the Newtown massacre, providing the most detailed and disturbing picture yet of the rampage and Adam Lanza’s fascination with murder, while also depicting school employees’ brave and clear-headed attempts to protect the children.
A former teacher of Lanza’s was quoted as telling investigators that Lanza, 20, exhibited anti-social behavior, rarely interacted with other students and obsessed in writings “about battles, destruction and war.”
The documents’ release marks the end of the investigation into the Dec. 14, 2012, shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School that left 20 first-graders and six educators dead.
Officials say Iran nuke talks hit bump, as 2 sides differ over enrichment
VIENNA — Iran is taking steps to improve its ability to speed up uranium enrichment that could delay implementation of a nuclear deal with six world powers because Tehran’s moves are opposed by the United States and its allies.
Iran’s nuclear chief, Ali Akbar Salehi, said late Thursday that his country is building a new generation of centrifuges for uranium enrichment but they need further tests before they can be mass produced. His comments appeared aimed at countering criticism from Iranian hardliners by showing their country’s nuclear program is moving ahead and has not been halted by the accord.
Judge finds NSA phone surveillance is legal; ACLU ‘very disappointed,’ promises appeal
NEW YORK — The heated debate over the National Security Agency’s bulk collection of millions of Americans’ telephone records fell squarely into the courts Friday, when a federal judge in Manhattan upheld the legality of the program and cited its need in the fight against terrorism just days after another federal judge concluded it was likely not constitutional.
The ruling by U.S. District Judge William H. Pauley III and an opposing view earlier this month by U.S. District Judge Richard Leon in Washington D.C. sets the stage for federal appeals courts to confront the delicate balance developed when the need to protect national security clashes with civil rights established in the Constitution.
Powerful car bomb in Lebanese capital kills a prominent pro-Western politician, 5 others
BEIRUT — A powerful car bomb killed a prominent Lebanese politician critical of Syria and its ally Hezbollah, hitting his SUV Friday as it drove through a ritzy business district near Beirut’s waterfront, shredding trees and scattering glass and twisted scraps of metal across the pavement.
Allies of the slain politician, former finance minister Mohammed Chatah, indirectly blamed the Shiite Hezbollah group for the bombing, raising tensions between Lebanon’s two main political camps at a time when the country’s factions are already deeply at odds over the civil war in neighboring Syria.
‘Duck Dynasty’ patriarch to resume filming as A&E reverses decision
LOS ANGELES — The A&E channel said it’s reversing its decision to drop “Duck Dynasty” patriarch Phil Robertson from the show for his remarks about gays.
In a statement Friday, A&E said it decided to bring Robertson back after discussions with the Robertson family and “numerous advocacy groups.”
His comments were slammed by groups including GLAAD, the gay media watch organization. But A&E’s decision drew a backlash from those who supported Robertson’s comments and others who defended him on the basis of freedom of speech.
By wire sources