Manuel becomes hurricane in Mexico

Manuel becomes hurricane in Mexico

ACAPULCO, Mexico

The toll from devastating twin storms climbed to 80 on Wednesday as isolated areas reported deaths and damage to the outside world, and Mexican officials said that a massive landslide in the mountains north of Acapulco could drive the number of confirmed dead even higher.

The storm that devastated the Pacific resort over the weekend regained strength Wednesday and became Hurricane Manuel, taking a route that could see it make landfall on Mexico’s northwestern coast. It would be a third blow to a country still reeling from the one-two punch of Manuel’s first landfall and Hurricane Ingrid on Mexico’s eastern coast.

6 killed in Ottawa bus-train collision

OTTAWA, Ontario

Passengers screamed “Stop! Stop!” seconds before their bus crashed through a crossing barrier and into a commuter train during morning rush hour in Canada’s capital Wednesday, killing six people and injuring 34.

It was not immediately clear what caused the bus to smash through the lowered barrier at a crossing in suburban Ottawa.

The front of the double-decker bus was ripped away by the impact, and the train’s locomotive and one passenger car derailed, though there were no reports of major injuries to train passengers or crew.

Eight were still listed in critical condition late Wednesday. The crash brought trains on the national Via Rail’s Ottawa-Toronto route to a standstill.

MLK’s secretary to sell trove of items

RIDGELAND, Miss.

The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s personal secretary is selling a collection from the early civil rights movement, including handwritten notes by King and a page from his “I Have a Dream” speech, what the auction house calls an unprecedented historical trove.

Maude Ballou worked as King’s secretary from 1955 to 1960, when King led the Montgomery Improvement Association and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

Ballou, who turned 88 Friday, is selling the items Oct. 17 in New York through Texas-based Heritage Auctions. People can bid in person or online. Ballou and Heritage Auctions say a portion of the proceeds will be used to establish an education fund at Alabama State University.

Judge: Baby can keep name Messiah

NEWPORT, Tenn.

A Tennessee woman will be allowed to name her 8-month-old son “Messiah,” a judge ruled Wednesday, overturning an order from another judge who said the boy’s name should be changed to Martin because “‘Messiah’ is a title that is held only by Jesus Christ.”

Jaleesa Martin said she couldn’t believe it when child-support magistrate Lu Ann Ballew last month ordered Martin’s 8-month-old son’s name changed during a paternity hearing. The parents were disputing the baby’s surname.

Starbucks: Guns not welcome

NEW YORK

Starbucks always has set itself apart by taking strong positions on progressive political issues. Now that reputation has landed the company in the middle of the heated national debate over gun laws.

On Thursday, the Seattle-based company will run full-page ads in major newspapers, telling customers that guns no longer are welcome in its cafes. But Starbucks is stopping short of an outright ban, exposing the fine line it needs to walk on a highly divisive issue.

“We are not pro-gun or anti-gun,” CEO Howard Schultz said in an interview, noting that customers will still be served if they choose to a carry gun.

Associated Press