Release of Amtrak evidence is near

Release of Amtrak evidence is near

PHILADELPHIA

Eight months after an Amtrak derailment that left eight people dead and more than 200 injured, federal investigators are poised to release evidence and reports that could help clear up the mystery of why the train streaked into a sharp curve at double the speed limit.

The release, expected Monday, will be the first major development in the investigation since a preliminary report a few weeks after the May 12 crash in which the National Transportation Safety Board pinpointed excessive speed as a key factor. A final report isn’t expected for months.

The train was accelerating out of an 80 mph speed zone when it should have been slowing to 50 mph for the coming curve, investigators said. It reached 106 mph just before the engineer activated emergency brakes.

At least 37 migrants drown on journey

ANKARA, TURKEY

A boat carrying Syrians attempting the short sea journey from Turkey to Greece struck rocks and capsized at dawn on Saturday, causing at least 37 people to drown, among them several babies and young children.

Images of dead children on a beach Saturday were another soul-searing reminder that Europe’s migrant crisis keeps destroying lives and families by the day.

“January has been the deadliest month so far for drownings between Turkey and Greece,” Peter Bouckaert, the emergencies director at Human Rights Watch, told The Associated Press. “Almost every day, more drown on this dangerous journey.”

Over 1 million face loss of food aid over work requirements

jefferson city, mo.

More than 1 million low-income residents in 21 states could soon lose their government food stamps if they fail to meet work requirements that began kicking in this month.

The rule change in the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program was triggered by the improving economy – specifically, falling unemployment. But it is raising concerns among the poor, social-service providers and food-pantry workers, who fear an influx of hungry people.

Recent experience in other states indicates that most of those affected will probably not meet the work requirements and will be cut off from food stamps.

The work-for-food requirements were first enacted under the 1996 welfare reform law signed by President Bill Clinton and sponsored by then-Rep. John Kasich, who is now Ohio’s governor and a Republican candidate for president.

The provision applies to able-bodied adults age 18 to 49 who have no children or other dependents in their home. It requires them to work, volunteer or attend education or job-training courses at least 80 hours a month to receive food aid. If they don’t, their benefits are cut off after three months.

Recovered painting resembles Picasso’s

ANKARA, TURKEY

Turkish police and media say police have recovered an oil painting that looks like a Picasso in a sting operation in Istanbul.

The state-run Anadolu Agency said Saturday that police posed as buyers for the painting, detaining two suspects who tried to sell it for $8 million.

Anadolu said the painting, which shows an abstract nude female figure brushing her hair, is an authentic work by Pablo Picasso stolen from a woman in New York. But a statement from Istanbul police said the painting hasn’t been authenticated yet. The painting must still be sent to Istanbul’s Mimar Sinan University to be examined, Anadolu reported.

Associated Press