U.S. & WORLD NEWS | FBI: Violent crime fell 5.5% in 2010

FBI: Violent crime fell 5.5% in 2010

WASHINGTON

Crime levels fell across the board last year, extending a multiyear downward trend with a 5.5 percent drop in the number of violent crimes in 2010 and a 2.8 percent decline in the number of property crimes.

Year-to-year changes released Monday by the FBI in its preliminary figures on crimes reported to police in 2010 also showed declines in all four categories of violent crime in 2010. All categories for property crime went down as well.

Some experts are puzzled.

Expectations that crime would rise in the economic recession have not materialized.

NATO warplanes target Tripoli

TRIPOLI, Libya

NATO warplanes repeatedly hit targets in Tripoli early today in what appears to be the heaviest night of bombing of the Libyan capital since the Western alliance launched its air campaign against Moammar Gadhafi’s forces.

More than 20 NATO airstrikes in less than half an hour set off thunderous booms that rattled windows and sent heavy plumes of smoke wafting over the city, including from an area close to the sprawling Gadhafi compound, indicating it was a target.

Government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim said at least three people were killed and dozens wounded in NATO strikes that targeted what he described as buildings used by volunteer units of the Libyan army,

Volcanic ash leads to canceled flights

LONDON

A dense ash cloud from an Icelandic volcano blew toward Scotland, causing airlines to cancel flights today, forcing President Barack Obama to shorten a visit to Ireland, and raising fears of a repeat of last year’s huge travel disruptions in Europe that stranded millions of passengers.

Britain’s Civil Aviation Authority said it appears that ash from the Grimsvotn volcano could reach Scottish airspace early today and affect other parts of the U.K. and Ireland later in the week.

British Airways suspended all its flights for this morning between London and Scotland, while Dutch carrier KLM and Easyjet canceled flights to and from Scotland and northern England at the same time. Two domestic airlines also announced flight disruptions.

Chaplains voice concerns on policy

SAN DIEGO

Leaders of 21 religious groups that provide chaplains to the U.S. military want Congress or the Pentagon to guarantee that troops won’t be punished if they openly discuss their objections to homosexuality.

Chaplains and service members who believe gay marriage and homosexuality are immoral might fear reprisal if they express their views openly once the military’s lifts the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, said the retired chaplains, who sent a letter Monday to the chiefs of chaplains of the Navy, Army, and Air Force.

Officials for the Navy, Army and Air Force did not immediately respond to calls and emails from the AP seeking comment.

Preacher: Rapture will be Oct. 15

ALAMEDA, Calif

California preacher Howard Camping says his prophecy that the world would end was off by five months because Judgment Day actually will come Oct. 21.

The independent Christian radio host said Monday the apocalypse will come five months after May 21, the original date he predicted.

Camping says he felt so terrible when his doomsday prediction did not come true on Saturday that he left home and took refuge in a motel with his wife.

Associated Press