Thousands of Syrians enter Homs

Thousands of Syrians enter Homs

HOMS, Syria

Thousands of Syrians returned to war-battered parts of the central city of Homs on Saturday, many making plans to move back as opposition activists expressed bitterness over the rebels’ surrender of their strongholds to pro-government forces and vowed they will return.

The homecoming came as rival jihadi factions fought deadly battles to the east in an oil-rich region bordering Iraq, the latest clashes between groups trying to overthrow the central government in Damascus.

Residents from Homs’ smashed ancient quarters scavenged what they could from their homes, mostly clothes, dusty mattresses and some burned gas canisters, carrying them away in plastic bags and trolleys.

Nintendo apologizes for virtual inequality

Nintendo is apologizing and pledging to be more inclusive after being criticized for not recognizing same-sex relationships in English editions of a life-simulator video game. The publisher said that although it is too late to change the current game, it was committed to building virtual equality into future versions if they’re produced.

Nintendo came under fire from fans and gay-rights organizations last week after refusing to add same-sex relationship options to the game “Tomodachi Life.”

Protesters ride ATVs in off-limits canyon

Dozens of people rode their ATVs and motorcycles on an off-limits trail in southern Utah on Saturday in a protest against what the group calls the federal government’s overreaching control of public lands.

San Juan County Sheriff Rick Eldredge said from 40 to 50 people, many of them waving American flags and some carrying weapons, drove about a mile down Recapture Canyon near Blanding and then turned around. Hundreds attended a rally at a nearby park before the protest.

“It was peaceful, and there were no problems whatsoever,” the sheriff told The Associated Press.

Officier who shot woman, 93, is fired

HEARNE, Texas

Officials in a small Central Texas town voted Saturday to fire a police officer who shot and killed an armed 93-year-old woman during a confrontation at her home.

The city council’s unanimous vote to dismiss Officer Stephen Stem came after a meeting that lasted less than 30 minutes, KBTX-TV reported.

Mayor Ruben Gomez had said he would recommend the termination of Stem, who shot and killed Pearlie Golden on Tuesday night. Gomez promised that to demonstrators who marched to city hall protesting the shooting of “Miss Sulie,” as many residents called Golden.

Hearne police have said in a statement that Golden “brandished a gun” when Stem arrived but have declined to comment further. Stem was on administrative leave while Texas Rangers investigated the shooting.

Egypt to try 220 suspected of terror

CAIRO

Egypt’s chief prosecutor charged 200 suspected militants Saturday with carrying out more than 50 terrorist attacks, killing 40 policemen and 15 civilians and conspiring with the Palestinian militant group Hamas, in the first mass trial of a jihadi group since the country’s recent turmoil.

The defendants, 98 of whom remain on the run, are all suspected members of the al-Qaida-inspired Ansar Beit al-Maqdis group, or Champions of Jerusalem, which has claimed responsibility for the bloodiest attacks since a wave of violence picked up after the military overthrow of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi last summer.

Associated Press