Obama announces $100M for education

Obama announces $100M for education

WASHINGTON

President Barack Obama has announced $100 million in grants to help better prepare high school students to compete in the global economy.

The White House says the Youth CareerConnect program will help schools train students for in-demand industries, including science, technology, engineering and math.

The government will award up to 40 grants to allow high schools to team up with higher-education institutions and employers. The grants will be awarded early next year.

2 killed, 29 injured in mall collapse

TONGAAT, South Africa

A roof at a South African shopping mall that was under construction collapsed with a thunderous bang Tuesday, killing two people and injuring 29 as survivors screamed for help, police and witnesses said. Rescue teams used cranes, sniffer dogs and spotlights as the search for any more survivors stretched into the night.

The collapse happened in Tongaat, near the eastern coastal city of Durban, and rescue teams rushed to help workers who were trapped beneath the rubble.

US, Afghans work toward agreement

KABUL

In a phone call Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry acknowledged “mistakes” and asked Afghan President Hamid Karzai to allow American forces to enter Afghan homes in “exceptional circumstances” as the two sides rushed to finalize the wording of a draft security agreement ahead of a meeting of tribal elders who must approve the deal.

Deep divisions in Afghanistan over legal immunity for American soldiers and contractors as well as night raids have threatened to derail diplomatic efforts to keep thousands of American soldiers in the country beyond next year’s withdrawal deadline. The issue has taken on added urgency amid a spike in violence that has raised fears the Afghan forces aren’t ready to take over the battle against the Taliban and al-Qaida linked militants without more training.

Mayor: I’ve smoked crack ‘maybe once’

TORONTO

Toronto’s scandal-plagued mayor said he’s smoked crack “maybe once” and said the city council has no business stripping him of his powers, implying in a television interview Tuesday that many councilors are guilty of similar behavior.

Rob Ford said he has “declared war” after the council acted in response to his admitted crack-cocaine use and binge drinking and a series of outbursts in recent days.

The council voted overwhelmingly Monday in favor of slashing Ford’s office budget by 60 percent and allowing mayoral staff to join the deputy mayor, Norm Kelly. Ford retains his title and ability to represent Canada’s largest city at official functions.

Pastor suspended for gay wedding

SPRING CITY, Pa.

A United Methodist minister from Pennsylvania who was convicted under church law of officiating at his son’s same-sex wedding in Massachusetts will be suspended for 30 days.

The same jury of pastors that convicted Rev. Frank Schaefer on Monday of breaking his vows told him he has to surrender his credentials if he can’t reconcile his new calling to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community with the rules from the church’s Book of Discipline.

Schaefer says he has no intention of changing his mind and expects to lose his credentials.

Associated Press