Add cholera to woes of flooded Pakistan

August 15, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

SUKKUR, Pakistan

The deadly, waterborne disease cholera has surfaced in flood-ravaged Pakistan, the U.N. confirmed Saturday, adding to the misery of 20 million people the government says have been made homeless by the disaster. A fresh surge of floodwater swelled the Indus River, threatening previously spared cities and towns in the south.

The crisis has battered Pakistan’s economy and undermined its political stability at a time when the United States needs its steadfast cooperation against Islamist extremism. The U.N. has appealed for an initial $460 million to provide relief to Pakistan.

Apple exec indicted

CUPERTINO, Calif.

A manager at Apple Inc. has been indicted by a federal grand jury in an alleged kickback scheme involving suppliers of iPhone and iPod accessories.

Authorities say Paul Shin Devine of Sunnyvale was arrested Friday on charges of wire fraud, money laundering and kickbacks. The indictment had been filed under seal Wednesday.

Devine, 37, is accused of accepting more than $1 million in exchange for providing confidential information to Apple suppliers in Asia.

Jazz singer dies

NEW YORK

Abbey Lincoln, a jazz singer and songwriter known for her phrasing, emotion and uncompromising style, died Saturday in New York at age 80.

She had been declining in health for the past year. Her death was confirmed by friend and filmmaker Carol Friedman, who has been working on a documentary on Lincoln’s life.

Lincoln made records and acted in films in the 1950s and ’60s, then saw her career surge again in the 1990s when she found new voice as a songwriter.

Kisses mark VJ Day

NEW YORK

Hundreds of couples donned sailor hats and nurse’s caps and smooched in Times Square on Saturday to celebrate the 65th anniversary of Victory in Japan Day and the end of World War II.

The couples were re-enacting the famous Life magazine photograph of a nurse being passionately kissed by a sailor at the end of the war. A 26-foot-tall statue replicating the original photo was erected for the celebration.

World War II veterans and their children on hand for the kiss said they want today’s generation to remember the sacrifices of those who fought in the war.

Bear cub gets jar removed from head

OCALA, Fla.

A black-bear cub in Florida affectionately known as “jarhead” can finally enjoy a good meal.

A clear plastic container was removed from the 6-month-old cub’s head after being stuck for at least 10 days. The cub poked its head into the jar when digging through trash in a neighborhood in central Florida.

Biologists say the cub was days away from death because the jar made it impossible to eat or drink.

Ohio robber in drag

CLEVELAND

A Cleveland man has pleaded guilty to robbing a man at knife point while dressed in drag. Twenty-six-year-old Roger Wolford allegedly jumped into a man’s car at an ATM, held a knife to his throat and demanded money — while wearing women’s clothing.

Prosecutors say the man fought back but later threw his wallet on the floor. A surveillance camera at the bank caught the incident on tape.

Wolford is being held in county jail. He could face up to 10 years in prison.

Associated Press

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