US bomber flies over South Korea

US bomber flies over South Korea

OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea

A powerful U.S. B-52 bomber flew over South Korea today, a clear show of force from the United States as a Cold War-style standoff deepened between its ally Seoul and North Korea after Pyongyang’s fourth nuclear test.

North Korea will read the fly-over of a bomber capable of delivering nuclear weapons – seen by an Associated Press photographer at Osan Air Base near Seoul – as a threat. Any hint of America’s nuclear power enrages Pyongyang, which links its own pursuit of atomic weapons to what it sees as past nuclear-backed moves by the United States to topple its authoritarian government.

Mega Millions ticket brings ‘paltry’ $165M

NEW YORK

While scores of Americans have shelled out cash for a chance at winning the Powerball lottery with a jackpot that’s grown to $900 million, a lucky player on Staten Island became a multimillionaire after buying a Mega Millions ticket.

But the $165 million prize is a paltry sum by comparison.

The unidentified person bought the winning ticket for Friday’s Mega Millions drawing at the Willowbrook Deli on Staten Island.

The winning Mega Millions numbers were 11, 39, 51, 57 and 75, plus the Mega Ball 2.

Attempted-murder charge in cop attack

PHILADELPHIA

A man who investigators say claimed he shot and wounded a Philadelphia police officer in the name of Islam was charged Saturday with attempted murder.

Edward Archer also was charged with aggravated assault, assault of a law-enforcement officer and several firearms crimes. He is being held without bail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 25. The Defender Association of Philadelphia, listed in court documents as representing him, couldn’t be reached Saturday for comment.

France honors victims of attack

PARIS

France’s prime minister lamented the growing number of departures of French Jews for Israel, as he and Jewish leaders honored four people gunned down in a kosher market a year ago by an attacker claiming ties to the Islamic State group.

Saturday evening’s ceremony was part of a weekend of efforts to ease religious tensions and mark the anniversary of the attacks on the market and the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo. Times remain tense for France’s large Jewish and Muslim communities after a year marked by Islamic extremist violence that left more than 150 people dead.

Mosques all over France are opening to the public this weekend to ease anti-Muslim sentiment and highlight the differences between jihadism and moderate Islam.

Cops: Toddler drove motorized toy near highway

CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla.

Authorities say they found a 3-year-old in a diaper driving a motorized big wheel alongside a busy Florida highway.

Citrus County Sheriff’s officials told local media outlets they were alerted by motorists who feared for the child’s safety. Deputies said several vehicles created a blockade around the boy to keep him from entering traffic. Authorities said the child, clad in a shirt and diaper, was in the toy vehicle’s driver seat when they arrived Wednesday.

Authorities didn’t release the father’s name. Reports say he told deputies he was in the bathroom when his son used a small chair to unlock a door and left without his knowledge. WFTS Tampa Bay reports the father said he immediately began searching for him.

Associated Press