US, Russia reach agreement on Syria
GENEVA (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says the United States and Russia have finalized a plan to reduce violence in Syria and lead to a political transition ending more than five years of war.
Kerry says the deal clinched with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov could be a “turning point” for the conflict, if implemented.
He spoke early Saturday at a joint press conference with Lavrov after a marathon day of negotiations in Geneva.
Kerry says Syria’s new nationwide cease-fire becomes effective at sundown Monday.
7 officers to be charged with sexual misconduct
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Prosecutors said Friday they will charge seven current and former San Francisco Bay Area officers in a sexual misconduct scandal involving a teenager.
The wide-ranging scandal surfaced when a teenage girl who described herself as a prostitute said she had sex with about 30 law enforcement officials in Oakland and elsewhere in the region.
Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley said she was waiting to formally file charges until the teen could be returned to California from Florida, where she has been jailed in an assault case.
The prosecutor said she needs the teen to provide testimony in the case.
The officers will be charged with a range of felonies and misdemeanors, O’Malley said.
The teen, now 19, said she had sex with four officers before she turned 18 and sometimes traded sex for protection from arrest or tips about planned prostitution stings.
Trump won’t reveal his plan for North Korea
WASHINGTON (AP) — Hours after North Korea tested new nuclear technology, Donald Trump’s campaign chief refused Friday to outline the Republican presidential nominee’s approach to rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula as both White House contenders increasingly focus on national security.
Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway, pressed repeatedly on Trump’s plan, said only, “He wouldn’t do what’s being done now.”
“He’s not going to reveal all of his plans, and he’s made that very clear. And maybe someone can ask him in a debate,” Conway told CBS “This Morning.” ‘’But the fact is that this entire world would be put on notice that there’s a strong leader in the White House.”
Study: 5-second rule too generous for food
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (AP) — It might be time to reconsider the five-second rule regarding eating food that has fallen on the floor.
Researchers at Rutgers University in New Jersey say in a new study that bacteria can contaminate food that falls on the floor instantaneously.
The findings were published this month in the American Society for Microbiology’s journal.
The research did find that longer contact time means more bacterial transfer, but that the type of food and surface is just as, or more, important.
The Rutgers researchers tested watermelon, bread, bread and butter, and gummy candy on stainless steel, ceramic tile, wood and carpet.
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