AP - Police Chief Charlie Beck was greeted by boos, whistles and chants of "justicia" by an angry Spanish-speaking crowd at a community meeting Wednesday intended to quell violence that erupted over the past two nights after police fatally shot a knife-wielding man.
AFP - A small Florida church shrugged off global outrage and vowed to go ahead with a Koran burning ceremony amid growing fears it will ignite a wave of Islamic rage.
AP - A top general, the secretary of state, the White House and political and religious leaders from around the world have decried a plan by the leader of a small Florida church to burn copies of Islam's holiest text to mark the 9/11 attacks. The Rev. Terry Jones is not backing down.
AP - The remnants of Tropical Storm Hermine swept northward through Texas and into Oklahoma on Wednesday, forcing more than 100 high-water rescues, swamping city neighborhoods, spawning tornadoes and killing at least two people.
AP - A wildfire burning in the canyons and steep mountainsides near Boulder became one of the most destructive blazes in Colorado history Wednesday as authorities determined it had destroyed nearly 150 homes in just three days.
AP - The group of Muslims planning to build a 13-story Islamic center and mosque near ground zero appears plagued by divisions that raise questions about the future of the project, with one major investor saying he is prepared to sell some or all of the site if the price is right.
AP - The last time Chicago was left without a Daley at the helm, the next mayor was thrown out of office by voters angry because he couldn't keep snow off the streets.
Campaign against Arms Trade has asked the Labour leadership candidates where they stand on arms trade issues.
Where do the Labour leadership candidates stand on arms trade issues? Do they believe that the UK government should give financial and other support to arms exports? Would they act to redirect public funds from the promotion of arms exports to investment in renewable energy technologies? And how would they deal with private security companies? These were the questions that Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT) directed to the five leadership contenders – Diane Abbott, Ed Balls, Andy Burnham, David Miliband and Ed Miliband.
To date, three of the five candidates have replied to CAAT's questions. Two candidates – Ed Balls and Ed Miliband – have yet to comment.
Diane Abbott stated that she opposed government support and subsidy for the arms trade; that UK Trade & Investment Defence & Security Organisation should be closed; that export credit cover should not be used for military goods and that private military and security companies should be licensed.
Andy Burnham had no firm views on the issues. On the question of UKTI DSO, he stated that the organisation should perform well for the taxpayer while posing no risk to to health and security at home and abroad. He would welcome questions on whether and how UKTI DSO should carry out its work. He said that he would welcome debate within the Labour Party on the other areas brought forward by CAAT.
The leading contender, David Miliband did not answer CAAT's specific questions. His policy team sent a four-paragraph statement which focused on Mr Miliband's work as Foreign Secretary in the Brown government. It stated his continued support for the proposed Arms Trade Treaty and for the new Cluster Munition Ban. It also reiterated his support for continuing multinational nuclear disarmament.
As Foreign Secretary, David Miliband decided not to regulate the private security industry, despite calls to do so from the industry association and from NGOs. Media reports state that his leadership campaign received a donation from lobbyist Anthony Bailey, whose clients include arms company BAE Systems.
Sarah Waldron, CAAT's Core Campaign Co-ordinator, said: "All the candidates for the Labour Party leadership have stated that they want to see the best economic and social outcomes for Britain, yet most seem willing to ignore the vital ethical, security and economic issues around the arms trade."
She continued, "David Miliband's statement focuses on issues around the Arms Trade Treaty, which will not affect UK arms exports, and ignores the questions posed by CAAT. Andy Burnham is non-committal on all areas. Diane Abbott is the only candidate to respond and pledge an end to government support and subsidy for arms exports."
Read the candidates' full responses here http://www.caat.org.uk/resources/lab-cand.php
[Ekk/4]
AP - The remnants of Tropical Storm Hermine caused widespread flooding in northern Texas and began buffeting southern Oklahoma on Wednesday, killing at least two people and submerging low-lying pockets of Arlington under several feet of water.
AP - The Florida pastor who plans to burn the Quran on the anniversary of 9/11 is rooted in Pentecostal tradition that believes Christians are engaged in a modern-day spiritual battle with evil.
AP - The Twitterverse is full of far more mysterious forces than indecipherable trending topics and Lady Gaga.