AWOL soldier indicted in plot

AWOL soldier indicted in plot

WACO, Texas

A federal grand jury indicted an AWOL soldier Tuesday on three charges in a plot to bomb Fort Hood soldiers in Texas. Pfc. Naser Jason Abdo, 21, was indicted in Waco on charges of possession of an unregistered destructive device, possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition by a fugitive from justice, according to federal prosecutors. He faces up to 10 years in prison on each charge if convicted.

Visa program for Afghans held up

KABUL

Ahmad Taki is desperate to get out of Afghanistan, fearing for his life after receiving death threats in midnight phone calls because he works for the Americans. Nine months after applying for a visa to the U.S. designed for cases like his, he’s heard nothing and feels abandoned by the people for whom he’s risked his life.

Taki is one of about 2,300 Afghans who have applied to a special program that awards U.S. visas to Afghans who have worked for the U.S. government for at least a year and are in danger because of this work.

But since the Afghan Allies program began in 2009, not a single visa has been handed out.

A document obtained by The Associated Press suggests the delays may not be a matter of bureaucracy, but reflect a worry among U.S. officials over holding on to hard-to-replace employees.

US welcomes Libyan rebels’ reshuffle

WASHINGTON

The Obama administration on Tuesday welcomed a decision by Libya’s rebels to reorganize their leadership in the aftermath of the killing of their military chief despite concerns it showed disunity in their ranks.

The State Department said the move was a sign the Transitional National Council, which the U.S. and others recognize as Libya’s legitimate government, is using last month’s slaying of commander Abdel-Fattah Youn as an opportunity for “reflection” and “renewal” by firing its executive committee.

Prenatal gender test raises concerns

CHICAGO

Boy or girl? A simple blood test in mothers-to-be can answer that question with surprising accuracy at about seven weeks, a research analysis has found.

Though not widely offered by U.S. doctors, gender-detecting blood tests have been sold online to consumers for the past few years. Their promises of early and accurate results prompted genetics researchers to take a closer look.

They analyzed 57 published studies of gender testing done in rigorous research or academic settings — though not necessarily the same methods or conditions used by direct-to-consumer firms.

The authors say the results suggest blood tests like those studied could be a breakthrough for women at risk of having babies with certain diseases, who could avoid invasive procedures if they learned their fetus was a gender not affected by those illnesses. But the study raises concerns about couples’ using such tests for gender selection and abortion.

Anthonys remember Caylee’s birthday

ORLANDO, Fla.

More than 100 people joined George and Cindy Anthony on Tuesday night in the couple’s neighborhood, where a group will reveal its plans for a memorial for their slain granddaughter, Caylee Anthony.

Tuesday would have been Caylee’s 6th birthday.

The crowd, gathered at a spot near the woods where the toddler’s remains were found in December 2008, sang “Happy Birthday” to Caylee.

The Anthonys spoke to reporters and interacted with people in the crowd. Both seemed emotional and were well-received by the crowd.

Combined dispatches