hProtecting pyramids

hProtecting pyramids

CAIRO, Egypt — Tourists have long been awed by Egypt’s famed Giza Pyramids and irritated by having to fend off peddlers relentlessly offering camel rides and trinkets.

But the hustlers were gone Monday as Egypt started an elaborate project to modernize the area and make it friendlier to tourists. Security is also improving, with a 12-mile chain-link fence featuring cameras, alarms and motion detectors.

“It was a zoo,” said Zahi Hawass, Egypt’s chief archaeologist, recalling the past free-for-all. “Now we are protecting both the tourists and the ancient monuments.”

The three Giza Pyramids have been unusually open for a 5,000-year-old Wonder of the World.

Man guilty in ricin case

SALT LAKE CITY — A Utah man accused of failing to report that his cousin produced and possessed the deadly poison ricin pleaded guilty Monday to the felony charge.

Thomas Tholen, 54, pleaded guilty to misprision of a felony — knowing about a crime but failing to report it. Federal prosecutors agreed to recommend that he receive probation rather than prison time at sentencing, set for October.

Tholen’s cousin, Roger Bergendorff, pleaded guilty Aug. 4 to federal possession of a biological toxin and weapons charges but denied any criminal intent and said he never intentionally or accidentally released any of the lethal powder.

Hernan downgraded

MEXICO CITY — Hurricane Hernan has weakened to a tropical storm far out in the Pacific.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami says Hernan’s winds have fallen to about 70 mph and the storm is expected to continue weakening as it moves westward and even farther out to sea.

By Monday afternoon, Hernan was located about 1,400 miles west of the tip of the Baja California peninsula. It was moving west-southwest. Storms are classified as hurricanes when their winds reach 74 mph or more.

Airport gun ban upheld

ATLANTA — A federal judge on Monday upheld a gun ban at the world’s busiest airport, dealing a blow to gun rights groups who argued a new Georgia law authorized them to pack heat in certain parts of the Atlanta airport.

U.S. District Judge Marvin Shoob expressed concern that allowing guns at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport could cause significant economic damage and could be a “serious threat to public safety and welfare.”

Montreal shooting inquiry

MONTREAL — Montreal’s mayor on Monday promised a swift inquiry into the shooting death of a Honduran teenager by police after the incident prompted violent clashes between angry youths and authorities in a heavily Haitian neighborhood.

A police officer was shot in the leg late Sunday, cars were set ablaze, stores were looted and firefighters were pelted with beer bottles in Montreal North, a multiethnic area referred to by local police as the Bronx of Montreal for its poverty and crime.

Cops: Man sought free porn

LONGMONT, Colo. — A man claiming to be a police detective tried to get an adult novelty shop to give him free X-rated videos, saying he wanted to make sure the performers weren’t underage, authorities said.

He made three tries within nine days last month and was turned down each time. The store manager called police after the third try.

Authorities said Monday that the man showed a badge and left a business card from the Longmont police “age verification unit.” Cmdr. Tim Lewis said there is no such unit. Police are looking for him.

That’ll ruin your wedding

BATAVIA, N.Y. — A New York state man has been arrested for getting too close to his bride on their wedding day.

Police say Timothy Cole quarreled with a wedding guest at a party Friday after wedding his ex-wife in Batavia.

Officers knew the 45-year-old Cole from previous arrests and realized his bride had an order of protection against him. The Daily News in Batavia says Cole was convicted of criminal contempt July 1.

Associated Press