NATO to discuss downing of plane

NATO to discuss downing of plane

ANKARA, Turkey

NATO will have emergency talks Tuesday to discuss Syria’s downing of a Turkish jet fighter, but the alliance is not expected to take military action, even if it confirms Turkey’s claim that the unarmed plane was attacked in international airspace. The incident has further raised regional tensions over the conflict in Syria, where some 40 people were reported killed Sunday in new clashes between rebels and government troops.

Wildfires spread to Colo. tourist areas

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.

Wildfires moved in on some of Colorado’s most popular summer tourist destinations over the weekend, destroying nearly two dozen homes near Rocky Mountain National Park and emptying hotels and campgrounds at the base of Pikes Peak. A wildfire near Colorado Springs erupted Saturday and grew out of control to more than 3 square miles early Sunday, prompting the evacuation of more than 11,000 residents and an undetermined number of tourists.

Gay pride parades in SF, Chicago, NYC

SAN FRANCISCO

Loud sirens, flashing lights and countless rainbow flags and banners accompanied uniformed police officers, cheerleaders and politicians who marched in San Francisco’s gay pride parade Sunday, the 42nd year the city has celebrated the lesbian, gay and transgender community.

More than 200 floats made their way down Market Street, the city’s main thoroughfare. A few marchers were dressed in elaborate, brightly colored outfits made from balloons, while many other participants and parade watchers wore hardly anything.

Organizers said San Francisco’s weekend events are the largest LGBT gathering in the nation, but thousands also were celebrating in Chicago and New York City, where parade-goers are toasting the anniversary of the state’s same-sex marriage law.

1 feared dead in Canada roof collapse

ELLIOT LAKE, Ontario

At least one person is feared dead and another trapped inside the rubble of a roof collapse at a mall in northern Ontario, authorities said Sunday.

More than 24 hours after the collapse, rescue workers have been unable to reach the victims because the structure is too unstable. But images taken with the camera show a hand and foot in the dusty debris, said Ontario Provincial Police Insp. Percy Jollymore.

Fire officials heard tapping Sunday morning in another part of the rubble, but nothing had been heard for hours. They said they also tried to reach that person by drilling through a wall but found the structure too unsafe to risk entering far enough inside.

Casino owner gives $1M to help needy

LAS VEGAS

An anonymous Las Vegas casino owner has struck again — this time with a $1 million donation to help needy people.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports the donation to the United Way of Southern Nevada allowed $500 bank gift cards to be handed out Saturday to 2,000 Las Vegas families.

The cards were delivered as a surprise to people the United Way and its partner programs determined needed them most.

The plastic cards become as good as cash when they’re signed and can be used for anything.

It’s the second time the same anonymous person has made a $1 million donation to the United Way. The first came in December. The only difference is that this time the donor’s nickname was Summer Santa instead of Secret Santa.

Associated Press