Charges unlikely in Ferguson case

WASHINGTON – Justice Department investigators have all but concluded they do not have a strong enough case to bring civil rights charges against Darren Wilson, the white police officer who shot and killed an unarmed black teenager in Ferguson, Missouri., according to law enforcement officials.

Attorney General Eric Holder said the federal government would open a civil rights investigation into the fatal shooting of Michael Brown, but that investigation now seems unlikely to result in any charges.

“The evidence at this point does not support civil rights charges against Officer Wilson,” said one person briefed on the investigation, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the case.

Police arrest two trying to view lava

PAHOA, Hawaii – Two Hawaii residents have been arrested for trespassing to see lava amid growing interest from people eager to witness the slow-moving flow.

Hawaii County police saw a man and a woman on county property Thursday taking photos within 5 feet of the lava.

The 65-year-old woman and 59-year-old man, who police say are from the area, were arrested.

Hawaii County Civil Defense Director Darryl Oliveira says the county is restricting the public’s access to the lava flow to keep people safe.

Israeli officials reopen holy site

JERUSALEM – Israel reopened a contested Jerusalem holy site on Friday and deployed more than 1,000 security personnel following clashes the previous day between Palestinians and Israeli riot police that had ratcheted up already heightened tensions in the city.

Small groups of Palestinian worshippers made their way through a series of Israeli checkpoints to the site known to Jews as the Temple Mount and Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary under leaden gray skies and heavy pouring rain.

No clashes were reported after prayer services ended around mid-day.

Associated Press & Washington Post