Bombing case defendant convicted

BOSTON – Federal prosecutors Wednesday said they are “gratified” by the guilty verdict against Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev and thank everyone who played a role.

U.S. Attorney Carmez Ortiz said in a statement that prosecutors are now focused on “the work that remains to be done.” She declined to comment further because the trial is continuing.

In the next phase, which could begin as early as Monday, the jury will hear evidence on whether the 21-year-old college student should get the death penalty or spend the rest of his life in prison.

Tsarnaev was convicted on all charges Wednesday in the Boston Marathon bombing by a federal jury.

Ferguson voters elect 2 blacks to council

FERGUSON, Mo. – A surge of voters helped alter the racial makeup of the Ferguson City Council, and observers said Wednesday that the change creates a new energy in a community trying to find its way after months of turmoil after the fatal shooting of Michael Brown.

More than 29 percent of Ferguson voters double the percentage from the April 2014 election went to the polls Tuesday and elected three new City Council members, including two blacks. That means half of the six-member council will now be African-American. The lone black incumbent councilman was not up for re-election. The mayor is white.

Afghan soldier kills American in attack

KABUL, Afghanistan – An Afghan soldier shot and killed a U.S. soldier and wounded several others Wednesday before being shot dead, the first so-called “insider attack” to target NATO troops since they ended their combat mission at the start of the year.

The American troops returned fire, killing the Afghan soldier, whom Sherzad identified as Abdul Azim of Laghman province.

Associated Press