Military prosecutes few desertion cases
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Army has prosecuted about 1,900 cases of desertion since 2001, despite tens of thousands of soldiers fleeing the service in the face of deadly combat, long and multiple deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan and strains on military families.
The data reflects how rarely the military takes desertion cases to court. And it underscores the complexities of such cases as a top military commander reviews the investigation of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who left his Afghanistan post in 2009 and was captured and held by the Taliban for five years.
More than 20,000 soldiers have been dropped from the rolls as deserters since 2006, Army data show. Totals for earlier years weren’t available but likely include thousands more.
Mayor urges clam after police shooting
BERKELEY, Mo. – A mayor is pressing for calm in his St. Louis suburb after a white police officer fatally shot a black 18-year-old police say pointed a handgun at the officer.
St. Louis County police on Wednesday identified the young man killed during the Berkeley encounter as Antonio Martin.
County Police Chief Jon Belmar said the officer was questioning the 18-year-old and another man about a theft at a convenience store when the young man pulled a handgun.
Belmar said the officer fired three shots, one striking the 18-year-old.
Berkeley is near Ferguson, where Michael Brown’s August shooting death by a white police officer sparked violent demonstrations.
Hawaii bracing for possible blizzard
HONOLULU – Some people in Hawaii are dreaming of a White Christmas.
A blizzard warning remained in effect Wednesday for the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa on the Big Island of Hawaii. While snow on the mountains is common, a blizzard with significant accumulation is unusual.
Up to 8 inches of snow could accumulate above 11,500 feet, the National Weather Service said. “Usually it’s just a dusting or up to an inch or two,” said weather service Meteorologist Norman Hui.
Pakistani military to hear terror cases
ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s prime minister announced Thursday the country will set up special trial courts under the supervision of military officers to prosecute terrorism cases in the wake of the Taliban school massacre that killed 149.
Nawaz Sharif spoke in a nationally televised address after a marathon meeting with all political parties and the country’s military leadership to hash out new counter-terrorism policies in the wake of the horrific attack.
“The Peshawar attack has shocked the nation. We will not let the blood of our children go in vain,” said Sharif.
Ukrainian peace talks adjourn for day
MINSK, Belarus – Talks aimed at reaching a stable cease-fire in Ukraine between its government forces and pro-Russian armed groups ended Wednesday after more than five hours, with no indication of progress and questions about when the next round might take place.
The talks were to discuss how to improve an often-violated cease-fire that was declared in September to pull back heavy weapons and the exchange of war prisoners.
Associated Press
