Drones a possible growth market

Drones a possible growth market

WASHINGTON

Forget the North Dakota energy boom. How about a drone boom?

State and federal officials have big hopes for the growth of what are known as unmanned aircraft systems. And North Dakota has positioned itself well to take advantage of its unique attributes: a first-of-its-kind academic program, an established military presence, a strong commitment from state and federal officials to find funding and even the weather.

The result is a growing footprint for a new and potentially lucrative business: According to a report compiled by AUVSI last year, drones have the potential to create more than 100,000 jobs and more than $80 billion in economic growth between now and 2025.

Business registry for 2014 Gay Games

cleveland

A registry of businesses owned by members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities is being developed in time for the 2014 Gay Games scheduled for the Cleveland area in August.

Cleveland’s Office of Equal Opportunity is developing the registry, The Plain Dealer in Cleveland reported. Members of the public wanting to do business with LGBT-owned enterprises will be able to find them by using the tool that is being designed in collaboration with Plexus, Cleveland’s LGBT chamber of commerce.

The games are scheduled to begin Aug. 9 and continue for a week, with athletes competing in sports such as swimming and diving, track and field, wrestling and volleyball.

Autopsy: Student died of stab wounds

hartford, conn.

A 16-year-old girl stabbed at her high school on the day of her junior prom died of wounds to her torso and neck, Connecticut’s chief medical examiner said Sunday.

The medical examiner’s office ruled that Maren Sanchez’s death was a homicide.

A 16-year-old male classmate is charged with murder as a juvenile in the stabbing at Jonathan Law High School in Milford. The attack occurred Friday morning, hours before the school’s prom, and authorities are investigating whether Sanchez was stabbed after turning down the boy’s invitation to the dance.

S. Korea PM quits

JINDO, SOUTH KOREA

South Korea’s prime minister resigned Sunday over the government’s handling of a ferry sinking that has left more than 300 people dead or missing and led to widespread shame, fury and finger-pointing, blaming “deep-rooted evils” in society for the tragedy.

South Korean executive power is largely concentrated in the president, so Chung Hong-won’s resignation appears to be symbolic. Presidential spokesman Min Kyung-wook said President Park Geun-hye would accept the resignation, but did not say when Chung would leave office.

Saudi Arabia: 8 more deaths from MERS

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA

Saudi Arabia’s Health Ministry said Sunday that eight more people have died after contracting a lethal Middle East virus related to SARS as the kingdom grapples with a rising number of infections.

The ministry reported the deaths in a statement on its website late in the evening. It said it had detected a total of 16 cases of the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus over the past 24 hours.

The latest cases bring to 102 the number of people who have died after contracting the disease in Saudi Arabia since September 2012.

Associated Press