Bombs kill 52 in Iraq

Bombs kill 52 in Iraq

BAGHDAD

A series of car bombs exploded across Iraq’s capital Saturday night, killing at least 52 people in a day of violence that saw militants storm a university in the country’s restive Anbar province and take dozens hostage, authorities said.

The attacks in Baghdad largely focused on Shiite neighborhoods, underscoring the sectarian violence now striking at Iraq years after a similar wave nearly tore the country apart after the U.S.-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein. Now with U.S. troops gone, Iraq finds itself fighting on fronts across the country, as separate clashes in a northern city killed 21 police officers and 38 militants, officials said.

Texas GOP endorses therapy for gays

FORT WORTH, Texas

The Texas Republican Party now endorses so-called “reparative therapy” for gays, under a new platform given final approval at its annual convention Saturday.

The new anti-gay language never came up for debate before roughly 7,000 delegates ratified a Texas GOP platform that tea-party groups succeeded in pushing further to the right, including winning a harder line on immigration.

Angelou memorial

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.

Maya Angelou liked to say that people will forget what you said or did in your life, but they will never forget how you made them feel. Former President Bill Clinton, first lady Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey said Saturday they were among the millions touched by Angelou’s wisdom when they needed help to rise.

Family and friends, both famous and anonymous, gathered Saturday to remember one of the 20th century’s most-famous black writers. Amid tears, laughter and gospel singing, they met at Wake Forest University, where she taught for 32 years though she never graduated from college. Dr. Angelou, as she liked to be addressed out of respect for all the honorary degrees she received, died May 28 at age 86.

Hers was a remarkable life, linking worlds of civil rights, poetry, acting and teaching — those present recalled at the two-hour-long tribute

2 Ohio cities vie for ’16 Dem convention

WASHINGTON

New York, Hillary Rodham Clinton’s political base, and two cities in presidential battleground Ohio are among the six locations under consideration for the 2016 Democratic National Convention, officials announced Saturday.

Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the Florida congresswoman who leads the Democratic National Committee, said it had received proposals from Birmingham, Alabama; Columbus, Ohio; Cleveland; New York; Philadelphia and Phoenix. Wasserman Schultz said the committee had “fantastic options” and a group of national committee officials would evaluate the cities and make site visits as the committee considers its options.

3 inmates escape in helicopter

MONTREAL

Three inmates have escaped from a detention center in Quebec City with the help of a helicopter, police said late Saturday.

It’s the second helicopter-aided inmate escape in Quebec province in two years.

Provincial police said the helicopter headed west from the Orsainville Detention Center after the escape.

Police identified the inmates on Twitter as Yves Denis, Denis Lefebvre and Serge Pomerleau and told anyone who sees them to not approach them and immediately contact police.

Associated Press