Hurricane forecast

Hurricane forecast

MIAMI

U.S. forecasters predicted Thursday that this year’s Atlantic hurricane season would produce a normal number of about nine to 15 tropical storms, with as many as four to eight of those becoming hurricanes.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released its initial outlook for the six-month storm season that officially begins next Friday. One to three storms could become major hurricanes with top winds of 111 mph or higher.

Chief defends search for son’s iPhone

BERKELEY, Calif.

A California police chief once again is under scrutiny, this time for using 10 officers — some on overtime — to search for his teenage son’s stolen iPhone.

Berkeley Police Chief Michael Meehan told the Oakland Tribune that no preferential treatment was given when officers, including three detectives and a sergeant who each logged two hours of overtime, searched for the phone that has a tracking device and was taken from a school locker in January. It was not found.

Meehan came under scrutiny two months earlier after ordering a sergeant to go to a reporter’s home to ask for changes to an online story about a community meeting where people criticized the speed of a police response to an elderly man’s beating death.

Meehan later apologized for dispatching the sergeant.

NZ taxes aim for smoke-free country

WELLINGTON, New Zealand

There are smoke-free bars, smoke-free parks, even smoke-free college campuses. But a smoke-free country?

New Zealand’s government on Thursday squeezed smokers more than ever by announcing a 40 percent hike in tobacco taxes over the next four years. Prices here already are among the highest in the world, and by 2016 they will top 20 New Zealand dollars ($15) a pack on average.

Officials hope higher taxes and new restrictions will bring the nation of 4.4 million closer to a recent pledge to snuff out the habit entirely by 2025. Other countries have lauded the idea of trying to wean their populace off tobacco, but few, if any, have been willing to put a date on it.

Muslim soldier guilty of bomb plot

WACO, Texas

A federal jury on Thursday convicted a Muslim soldier on six charges in a failed plot to blow up a Texas restaurant full of Fort Hood troops, his religious mission to get “justice” for the people of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Jurors in U.S. District Court in Waco deliberated a little more than an hour before finding Pfc. Naser Jason Abdo, 22, guilty of attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction, attempted murder of U.S. officers or employees and four counts of possessing a weapon in furtherance of a federal crime of violence.

Edwards-trial jury ends 5 days of talks

GREENSBORO, N.C.

The jury in John Edwards’ campaign-corruption trial has concluded a fifth day of deliberations without reaching a verdict.

The jury looked at about 20 exhibits during its discussions Thursday. Most of them were financial records involving money given by a wealthy Texas lawyer. Prosecutors say John Edwards used the money as part of a plan he orchestrated to hide his pregnant mistress as he sought the White House in 2008.

The jury also wanted to see a tape of Edwards’ interview on ABC’s “Nightline.” Edwards said during that interview he never asked anybody to pay any money.

Edwards is charged with six felony counts related to illegal campaign contributions.

Associated Press