NY prosecutors: Drop sex charges

NY prosecutors: Drop sex charges

new york

For all that had been revealed as prosecutors moved Monday to drop their sexual assault case against former International Monetary Fund leader Dominique Strauss-Kahn, they said they couldn’t answer the central question: What happened between him and a maid in his luxurious hotel suite?

In a 25-page court document, Manhattan prosecutors described the lies and inconsistencies they said had shattered the housekeeper’s credibility and delved into DNA evidence they said showed sexual contact but not necessarily a forced encounter.

A formal dismissal is expected at Strauss-Kahn’s court date today, though the maid, Nafissatou Diallo, is asking the judge to boot the DA’s office off the case and put it on hold until a special prosecutor can be appointed.

Study: Hospitals give faster heart care

In a spectacular turnabout, hospitals are treating almost all major-heart-attack patients within the recommended 90 minutes of arrival, a new study finds. Just five years ago, less than half of them got their clogged arteries opened that fast.

The time it took to treat such patients plunged from a median of 96 minutes in 2005 to only 64 minutes last year, researchers found.

Yale cardiologist Dr. Harlan Krumholz led the study, published online Monday by an American Heart Association journal, Circulation.

Nick Ashford dies

new york

Nick Ashford, one-half of the legendary Motown songwriting duo Ashford & Simpson that penned elegant, soulful classics for the likes of Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye and funk hits for Chaka Khan and others, died Monday at age 70, his former publicist said.

Liz Rosenberg, who also was Ashford’s longtime friend, told The Associated Press that Ashford — who along with wife Valerie Simpson wrote some of Motown’s biggest hits — died in a New York City hospital. He had been suffering from throat cancer and had undergone radiation treatment.

Perhaps the biggest known hit sung by the duo was the 1980s hit “Solid As A Rock.”

Shipwreck found

tirana, albania

A U.S.-Albanian archaeological mission said Monday it has found the well- preserved wreck of a Roman cargo ship off Albania’s coast, complete with some 300 wine jars — all empty.

The 30-yard-long wreck dates to the 1st century B.C. and its cargo is believed to have been the produce of southern Albanian vineyards en route to western European markets, including France.

A statement from the Key West, Florida-based RPM Nautical Foundation said the find was made 50 yards deep near the port city of Vlora early this month.

Irene heads toward Bahamas and US

nagua, dominican republic

A rapidly strengthening Hurricane Irene cut a destructive path through the Caribbean on Monday, pounding Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic with strong winds and rain as it followed a track that could carry it to the U.S. Southeast by the end of the week.

Irene grew into a Category 2 hurricane late Monday and the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said it could become a monstrous Category 3 storm as early as today.

Forecasters said it could still be that strong when it passes over the Bahamas and slams into the U.S., possibly landing in Florida, South Carolina or Georgia.

Associated Press