Security forces storm a detention center in southern Russia, killing an unknown number of hostage takers

Inmates take staff hostage at a detention center in southern Russia

MOSCOW (AP) — Inmates at a pre-trial detention center in the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don have taken two employees hostage, Russia’s Federal Penitentiary Service said Sunday. Russian state news agency Tass, citing unnamed sources in law enforcement, said that six hostage takers...

Honduras plans to build a 20,000-capacity 'megaprison' for gang members as part of a crackdown

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) — The president of Honduras has announced the creation of a new 20,000-capacity “megaprison," part of the government's larger crackdown on gang violence and efforts to overhaul its long-troubled prison system. President Xiomara Castro unveiled a series...

Second suspect arrested in abduction of 2 Louisiana children and death of one of them

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A second suspect was arrested Friday in connection with the abduction and death of a 4-year-old Louisiana girl who was found in Mississippi, Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade said. Wade told WJTV-TV that the suspect, a 32-year-old woman, is an acquaintance of...

Illinois lawmakers unable to respond to governor's prison plan because they lack quorum

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Members of a legislative review panel on Friday said a state proposal to replace the ancient Stateville Correctional Center in suburban Chicago makes sense, but Gov. J.B. Pritzker's administration needs to provide more details. However, the bipartisan...

Virginia city repeals ban on psychic readings as industry grows and gains more acceptance

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — Ashley Branton has earned a living as a psychic medium for seven years, helping a growing number of people with heavy choices about toxic relationships, home purchases and cross-country moves. And while the tarot cards are never wrong, she said, they didn’t...

Judge orders retrial of civil case against contractor accused of abuse at Abu Ghraib

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — A judge on Friday ordered a retrial over allegations that a Virginia-based military contractor contributed to the abuse and torture of detainees at Iraq's notorious Abu Ghraib prison two decades ago. A civil trial earlier this year ended with a hung jury and...

Iranian authorities release a French national who was imprisoned for over 20 months

PARIS (AP) — French national Louis Arnaud arrived in France on Thursday after he was released by Iran, where he was imprisoned for over 20 months for allegedly taking part in nationwide protests. Arnaud was greeted by his family in the presence of French Foreign Affairs Minister...

Jailed US reporter Evan Gershkovich to stand trial in Russia on espionage charges, officials say

MOSCOW (AP) — U.S. journalist Evan Gershkovich, who has been jailed for over a year in Russia on espionage charges, will stand trial in the Ural Mountains city of Yekaterinburg, where he was detained, authorities said Thursday. An indictment of The Wall Street Journal reporter has...

US government's top hostage negotiator defends prisoner swaps with foreign adversaries

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. government's top hostage negotiator defended prisoner swaps that free Americans wrongfully detained by foreign countries in exchange for the release of convicted criminals, denying on Thursday that such deals incentivize additional arrests of U.S. citizens. ...