Fugitive sent to prison

Fugitive sent to prison

NEW YORK — A hedge fund cheat who tried to fake his own death and spent nearly a month as a fugitive told a judge Thursday that he really did try to commit suicide while on the run, saying he thought it would be better to do himself in than turn himself in.

One day after surrendering at a tiny Massachusetts police station after more than three weeks on the lam, Samuel Israel III again stood before an impatient and bitter U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon. She originally had pronounced his 20-year prison sentence in April while allowing him to remain free on $500,000 bail.

On Thursday, McMahon was unsympathetic. She told Israel, who scammed hundreds of millions of dollars from investors, that he had to forfeit his bail. She ordered him to begin serving his sentence while he faces a new charge of failing to report to prison, which carries a potential 10-year penalty.

Royal letters in auction

LONDON — A royal butler’s collection of letters, cards and photographs, including a thank-you note from Princess Diana and requests for gin cocktails from Queen Mother Elizabeth, will be put up for auction Saturday.

Billy Tallon joined the royal household when he was just 15 and, over the next 51 years, became a trusted and valued senior servant. When he died last year, he left the vast, carefully preserved collection.

It also includes presents from the royal family, such as a silver ashtray engraved with a Royal symbol.

“This is a lovely collection of quite amazing bits and pieces,” said Janet Canon at auction house Reeman Dansie. “Lots of people are flying in from overseas, especially from America and Canada to take part in the auction.”

Dog chews off owner’s toe

ALTON, Ill. — An Illinois woman says her beloved miniature dachshund gnawed off her right big toe while she was asleep.

Linda Floyd told the Alton Telegraph for a story Wednesday that her beloved Roscoe was euthanized because of safety concerns.

The 56-year-old says she has no feeling in her toes because of nerve damage from diabetes. She discovered the toe missing after waking from a nap Monday. She called her daughter, who phoned 911.

A veterinarian says the toe had been bandaged because of a healing hangnail. That might have somehow attracted the dog.

Big Sur wildfire rages

BIG SUR, Calif. — An explosive wildfire ravaged the hillsides above this scenic coastal community Thursday, leaving the popular tourist region mostly deserted ahead of the holiday weekend.

Still, some people defied orders to evacuate the Big Sur area and stayed behind to try to save their homes and businesses from the blaze, which has burned 100 square miles of the Los Padres National Forest and destroyed at least 17 homes.

The raging blaze near Big Sur was one of more than 1,700 wildfires, mostly ignited by lightning, that have scorched nearly 800 square miles and destroyed more than 60 structures across northern and central California since June 20, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

Iraq PM’s diplomatic trips

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s prime minister plans trips to Europe and the Persian Gulf this month, apparently hoping improved security at home will pay dividends in greater international support — including from a country that did not back the U.S. invasion.

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki will visit the United Arab Emirates on Sunday and then Germany and Italy later in July, government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh told reporters Thursday.

He did not give dates for the European stops, saying only that the visits will “enhance European-Iraqi cooperation and the mutual relations with these countries.”

Violence in Iraq has dropped to its lowest level in more than four years as a result of the 2007 buildup of American forces, the Sunni revolt against al-Qaida in Iraq and Iraqi government crackdowns against Sunni extremists and Shiite militias, among other factors.

U.S. denies Cuban charge

HAVANA — A spokesman for the U.S. mission here on Thursday denied Cuba’s charge that American diplomats were instigating opposition protests linked to American independence day.

“If they are planning something, I don’t have any advance knowledge,” said Greg Adams, public affairs officer for the U.S. Interests Section, referring to Cuba’s opposition.

“The government of Cuba is a dictatorship that oppresses its people,” Adams told reporters. “The Cuban people do not need outside influence to seek relief from this oppression.”

Associated Press