Charges filed in kidnapping case

Charges filed in kidnapping case

SANTA ANA, Calif.

A California woman who says she was kidnapped a decade ago by her mother’s boyfriend lived a seemingly ordinary life with her purported captor year after year, but she was too scared to go to authorities until she recently reunited with her mother, police said Thursday.

The woman, who disappeared when she was 15, eventually married the man and started a family with him. Neighbors said she worked for a nearby janitorial service, took Zumba classes and went on trips to the beach and Disneyland.

Orange County prosecutors on Thursday filed five felony charges against the purported abductor, Isidro Garcia, including rape and kidnapping to commit a sexual offense. He did not enter a plea, and his arraignment was continued until June 9. He was jailed on $1 million bail.

Slow hurricane season predicted

NEW YORK

A slower-than-usual hurricane season is expected this year because of an expected El Nino, federal forecasters said Thursday, but they warned that it takes only one storm to wreak havoc and urged Americans to be prepared.

The El Nino, which warms part of the Pacific every few years and changes rain and temperature patterns around the world, likely will reduce the number and intensity of tropical storms and hurricanes, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said in New York City.

Lower temperatures on the surface of the Atlantic Ocean compared with recent years also will lower the probability of hurricane formation.

Drone-memo author gets Senate approval

WASHINGTON

The Senate approved a top federal judgeship Thursday for an architect of the Obama administration’s legal foundation for killing American terror suspects overseas with drones, as Democrats overcame opposition by Republicans and quelled concerns by some civil libertarians.

By a near party-SFlbline 53-45 vote, senators confirmed David Barron to join the Boston-based 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Democratic Sens. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and Joe Manchin of West Virginia were the only lawmakers to cross party lines and vote against the confirmation.

President Barack Obama’s pick of Barron for the job last September drew criticism from members of both parties.

16 Ukrainian troops killed by insurgents

BLAHODATNE, Ukraine

In the deadliest raid yet on Ukrainian troops, pro-Russia insurgents attacked a military checkpoint Thursday, killing 16 soldiers, and the interim prime minister accused Moscow of trying to disrupt the upcoming election for a new president to lead the divided country out of its crisis.

A rebel commander said one of his fighters also died in the raid in eastern Ukraine, which left a gruesome scene of charred military vehicles and scorched bodies near the town of Volnovakha, 20 miles south of the city of Donetsk.

Witnesses, including a medical worker, said more than 30 Ukrainian troops were wounded, with some in grave condition. Fighting also raged in at least two other villages.

Associated Press