News Archive - September 3, 2013

Ariel Castro, Ohio Man Who Held Women For Years, Is Dead

Corrections officials in Ohio say Castro is believed to have committed suicide in his cell Tuesday night. He was serving a life sentence for holding three women captive in his Cleveland home for more than 10 years.

Syrian-American Group Says Delaying Strikes Bolsters Opposition

While most Americans still oppose intervention in Syria, a group of Syrian-Americans is calling for action.

Charles Lollar Joins Crowded Maryland GOP Gubernatorial Primary

It's a crowded field for the Republican nod in Maryland's gubernatorial race next year, as former Marine and executive Charles Lollar tosses his hat in the ring.

Foreign Relations Committee Comes To Agreement On Syria

The Authorization for the Use of Military Force gives the president a time limit on any military strikes against Syria and would ban the president from putting troops on the ground.

Obama Names Critic To Eisenhower Memorial Panel

Critics of the design for a memorial to President Dwight D. Eisenhower gained some traction, after President Obama named a critic of the plan to the commission overseeing its construction.

Syrian U.N. Ambassador Says His Is A 'Peaceful Nation'

In a contentious interview with CNN, Bashar Ja'afari said U.S. intelligence is flawed and that his country did not want war with the U.S.

What Does "Coming Of Age" Mean To You?

Metro Connection is working on a show with the theme of "coming of age." Tell us what "coming of age" means in your life.

Scientists: Basic Chemistry Of Area Waterways Changing

With acid rain becoming more pervasive, scientists in the region were surprised to find that the pH in area rivers is moving in the other direction.

Syria Debate In Congress: 4 Exchanges You Should Listen To

During a hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the Obama administration began making its case for a military strike on Syria.

D.C. Police Heighten Security As Tensions On Syria Rise

The threat of military action in Syria and the upcoming Jewish holidays have Metro Police on a heightened state of alert at certain locations across the city.

What If Congress Votes 'No' On Syria?

If Congress fails to authorize a U.S. military strike against Syria, it could weaken President Obama internationally and domestically. But it could also give Obama the political cover to back away from his "red line" proclamation against the Syrian government for its alleged use of sarin gas.

5 Years After Being Covered With Water, Chinese Village Emerges

A powerful earthquake completely flooded their village in 2008 — but thanks to a steep drop in the water level, former residents of Xuanping are returning to look at homes, businesses, and their old school.

The Wondrous, Melancholy Worlds Of Hayao Miyazaki

Hayao Miyazaki recently announced his intention to stop making feature-length films. His movies taught Code Switch's Kat Chow lessons she didn't learn at school or from family.

Amazon Now Charging Sales Tax For Virginia Residents

Serial online shoppers in the commonwealth may notice their online purchases grow a bit — Amazon started collecting Virginia sales tax on Sunday.

Senate Expected To Vote First On Syria Strikes

Aside from hearings, no action is expected this week as Congress considers President Obama's call for authorization of military strikes against Syria. Far more members are publicly undecided than openly supportive of military action at this point.

CDC: One-Fourth Of Heart Attack And Stroke Deaths Preventable

If you have health coverage, you're more likely to go to the doctor. And that's one reason to think that the rollout of the federal health law could help bring down death rates from cardiovascular disease.

Mexico Summons U.S. Ambassador, Seeking Answers To Spying Claims

Allegations that U.S. agents spied on Mexico's President Enrique Pena Nieto when he was a candidate during last year's campaign have led Mexico to summon U.S. Ambassador Anthony Wayne and demanded "a thorough investigation."

Now A Test Can Tell If Your Pricey Cup Of Cat Poop Coffee Is Fake

The world's most expensive coffee can cost $600 a pound, and it comes from — there's no delicate way to put it — civet poop. But how do you know if what you're shelling out for is the real deal? Chemists have come up with the world's first cat poop coffee test.

Crews Continue To Search For Man Who Went Missing While Swimming In Potomac

Crews are returning to the Potomac River today to search for a man who went missing while swimming. 

U.N. Chief: Use Of Force Is Only Legal In Self-Defense Or With U.N. OK

The implication from U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is that a unilateral attack by the U.S. against Syria would be illegal.

Bay Area's New Span Truly Is A Troll Bridge

After the 1989 earthquake that shook the region, the Bay Bridge had been "protected" by a metal troll welded to the span. Some had worried that the new Bay Bridge wouldn't have its own troll. To the relief of many, it will.

Two Alligators Topping 720 Pounds Each Caught In Mississippi

The massive reptiles, which were both caught Sunday, set new state records for heaviest male alligator. Each hunting team spent hours trying to bring the gators in.

How To Build Little Doors Inside Your Shell: The Secrets of Snail Carpentry

Snails getting ready for winter are natural carpenters. They construct doors, or maybe you'd call them walls, inside their shells. They do this without hammers, nails or cement. Instead, they use their foot — and of course, their favorite material, mucus. Welcome to the ingenious world of snail construction.

Facebook Chats Prompt At-Risk Minority Men To Get HIV Tests

One of the biggest challenges in public health challenges is reaching people in vulnerable groups. Often influential peers are recruited to help spread the word. When that technique was transferred to Facebook, at-risk Latino and African American Men were more likely to get an HIV test.

Fans Cheer Return Of U.S. Women's Soccer Team To RFK For Match Against Mexico

The U.S. Women's National Soccer Team takes on Mexico today at RFK Stadium, the first time the squad has played in D.C. since 2008.

Thai Fishing Sector, Among World's Largest, Cited For Abuses

A report from the International Labor Organization details "deceptive and coercive" labor practices — and even forced labor within the industry. The allegations aren't new, but increase pressure on the Thai government to better regulate the $7 billion industry.

'Death Ray II'? London Building Reportedly Roasts Cars

It seems that the "Walkie-Talkie" skyscraper is something of a parabolic mirror. Not only did some parts of a man's Jaguar melt because of the intense rays, a barbershop's carpet reportedly burned.

Boehner, Pelosi Unite Behind President On Syria

The two House leaders agree that the U.S. should respond militarily to Syrian President Bashar Assad's alleged use of chemical weapons. It's a rare bipartisanship.

U.S. 'Space Fence' Radar System Goes Silent, After 50 Years

The U.S. Air Force has pulled the plug on a radar system that tracks thousands of objects orbiting Earth, from satellites and debris to meteors. The military says the shutdown can save $14 million annually. A replacement plan is in the works.

The Beauty Of Bricks In Burkina Faso

Photographer David Pace says there's not much for tourists in Burkina Faso. And that's what keeps him going back.

Witness Says Victim Of Alleged Sexual Assault By Navy Midshipmen Was Drunk

A witness in the hearing of three former U.S. Naval Academy midshipmen accused sexual assault says the victim appeared drunk on the night of the alleged assault.

With Health Exchanges Opening Soon, Consumers Start To Focus

People are looking for answers to complex health insurance problems. The navigators whose job it is to help are going to have their work cut out for them now that that the Affordable Care Act is moving into high gear.

Ocean City Legislators Vote To Remove Parking Meters, Losing $1.4 Million

Legislators in Ocean City have decided to remove parking meters installed on four streets earlier this year, forgoing $1.4 million in expected revenue.

Fracking Friends And Foes Await Decision On George Washington National Forest

Sometime in the next few months, the U.S. Forest Service will announce whether it's going to allow hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, within Virginia's George Washington National Forest.

Federal Investigators Will Look Into What Caused Airplane Crash On Route 50

Federal investigators will be looking into the crash of a small plane along westbound route 50 in Prince George's County, Maryland yesterday afternoon.

Syria Resolution Will Hit Mark, Obama Predicts

Congress is going to consider the president's request for the OK to take military action. Obama says he's confident the resolution will allow the type of strike that cripples the Assad regime's ability to use chemical weapons against its own people. House Speaker Boehner is supporting the president.

Alexandria Six-Alarm Fire Extinguished, Cause Still Unknown

Firefighters in Alexandria spent the night extinguising the last embers of yesterday's six-alarm fire in a warehouse on South Pickett Street, and an investigation into the fire's cause will begin once the building is safe to enter.

The Lava Lamp Has Turned 50; Here's Some Groovy Video

Five decades ago the trippy light went on sale in the U.K. If you don't have one in the attic, this video may suffice.

'The Worm' Returns To North Korea; Rodman Visits Again

Retired basketball star Dennis Rodman called Kim Jong Un an "aweseome" man after a visit earlier this year. His trip there this week follows a prediction by Rodman that he would persuade Kim to release Korean-American missionary Kenneth Bae. But Rodman says that's not the purpose of his visit.

Book News: Seamus Heaney's Last Words Were 'Don't Be Afraid'

Also: The Hugo Awards; a push to ban a Toni Morrison book from Alabama school reading lists, the best book coming out this week.

For Microsoft, Nokia's Phones Are 'Key To Everything'

Microsoft is spending $7.2 billion for Nokia's mobile phones business. The thinking, analysts say, is that to succeed in other areas — tablets and PCs — Microsoft needs to build its Windows Phone business.

2 Million Syrians Are Now Refugees And More Are 'On The Way'

About one-quarter of all Syrians have been forced to flee their homes, many to neighboring nations. New data on the number of refugees come as Congress begins debating the president's request for authorization to take military action in response to the Assad regime's alleged use of chemical weapons.

Why Are U.S. Presidents Calling On The Military So Often?

Despite the end of the Cold War, U.S. presidents are sending the U.S. military into battle with great frequency. The military has carried out more than a dozen separate operations since the first Gulf War in Iraq in 1991.