Fire at black church in Georgia was arson, officials say

Fire at black church in Georgia was arson, officials say

MACON, Ga.

A fire that damaged a predominantly black church in middle Georgia has been ruled arson, authorities say.

The fire was reported at God’s Power Church of Christ in Macon early Tuesday morning. Macon-Bibb County Fire Sgt. Ben Gleaton told local media outlets that investigators determined the fire was intentionally set but didn’t say what led to that conclusion.

Gleaton says there’s no evidence indicating that the fire was a hate crime.

Authorities have said electronics and other equipment also had been stolen from the building in two burglaries.

Sources: Christie entering 2016 race

NEWARK, N.J.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is entering the 2016 Republican presidential nomination contest and will announce that Tuesday at his old high school, several people familiar with his plans told The Associated Press.

The Republican leader of a Democratic stronghold has been laying the groundwork for a White House run for months. In 2012, he decided against seeking the GOP nomination to challenge President Barack Obama, and focused on his duties in the state and planning a re-election campaign.

CDC: 156,300 infected with HIV don’t know it

More than 1.2 million Americans are living with HIV – including about 156,300 who don’t realize it, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

That means 13 percent of those who are infected with the virus that causes AIDS aren’t in a position to protect their health, or the health of others.

The White House has set a goal of making sure at least 90 percent of people infected with HIV are aware of their status. As of 2012, only four states – Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii and New York – had certainly met that goal, researchers reported Thursday in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Islamic State militants attack 2 cities in Syria

BEIRUT

After weeks of setbacks, militants from the Islamic State group launched swift counteroffensives Thursday on predominantly Kurdish areas of northern Syria, killing and wounding dozens and setting off car bombs, activists and officials said.

The two-pronged attack on the northeastern city of Hassakeh and the border town of Kobani came two days after an Islamic State spokesman acknowledged that the group might lose some battles but would not be defeated.

Guard denies that he knew about inmates’ escape plot

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y.

A prison guard charged in connection with the escape of two killers admitted providing them with tools, paint, frozen hamburger and access to a catwalk electrical box, but claims he never knew they planned to bust out, authorities say.

As the search for the convicts entered its 20th day Thursday, Gene Palmer was released on $25,000 bail after his arrest on charges of promoting prison contraband, tampering with evidence and official misconduct.

Combined dispatches