Zimmerman back in jail in Florida

Zimmerman back in jail in Florida

miami

George Zimmerman, the former neighborhood-watch volunteer charged with murder in the killing of Trayvon Martin, surrendered to police Sunday and was booked into a central Florida jail two days after his bond was revoked.

Zimmerman’s legal team said in a tweet Sunday afternoon that he was in police custody. Circuit Judge Kenneth Lester revoked Zimmerman’s bond Friday, saying the defendant and his wife had lied to the court in April about their finances so he could obtain a lower bond.

Syrian president defends crackdown

beirut

Syrian President Bashar Assad defended his government’s crackdown on opponents Sunday, saying a doctor performing messy emergency surgery does not have blood on his hands if he is trying to save a patient.

In his first speech since January, Assad appeared unmoved by scathing international criticism of his ferocious response to the 15-month-old revolt against his rule, which has killed up to 13,000 people, according to activist groups. He also denied responsibility for last week’s Houla massacre of more than 100 people, saying not even “monsters” would carry out such an ugly crime.

He said terrorists have pushed his country into war.

Panetta sends message to China

cam ranh bay, vietnam

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta used a visit Sunday to Vietnam to make clear Washington’s intent to aid allies in the Asia-Pacific region develop and enforce maritime rights in the South China Sea, which Beijing largely claims.

On a historic stop in Cam Ranh Bay, the strategic deep water port that was a U.S. base during the Vietnam War, Panetta could gaze out from the flight deck of the USNS Richard E. Byrd toward the sea and reflect on the significance of the harbor, which represents a painful past for the American military and a challenging but hopeful future.

“The new defense strategy that we have put in place for the United States represents a number of key elements that will be tested in the Asia-Pacific region,” Panetta told reporters gathered under a blazing sun on the deck of the cargo vessel.

Pope: Philly is site of Families meeting

milan

Pope Benedict XVI says the next World Meeting of Families will take place in 2015 in Philadelphia.

Benedict announced the venue at a Sunday Mass in Milan celebrating the seventh such gathering of families. The pope sent his greetings to Archbishop Charles Chaput and the Catholics “of that great city” and said he was looking forward to meeting them in 2015.

Mormons join Utah Gay Pride Parade

salt lake city

More than 300 Mormon church members who are not gay drew shouts of approval and tears from spectators while marching in the Utah Gay Pride Parade in downtown Salt Lake City.

The Mormons say they sought to send a message of love to Utah’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community by joining the annual parade Sunday. Their participation marked the first time such a large group of Mormons took part in the parade, organizers said.

Parade grand marshal Dustin Lance Black, an Academy Award-winning screenwriter, tweeted: “In tears. Over 300 straight, active Mormons showed up to march with me at the Utah Pride parade in support of LGBT people.”

Associated Press