Briefs

LOCAL & VCU

Two slain at Homestead resort

Authorities are searching for a resort employee who they believe shot and killed two people at The Homestead resort. The Bath County Sheriff’s Office says the shootings were reported shortly before 8 p.m. Saturday. The shooter was believed to have fled on foot. No other injuries were reported.

State police and the sheriff’s office were searching for the suspect with tracking dogs and a state helicopter. Police notified Hot Springs residents to remain indoors with their doors and windows locked.

The sheriff’s office identified the suspect as Beacher Ferrel Hackney. The victims were identified as Ronnie Stinnett and Dwight Kerr.

Brief by the Richmond Times-Dispatch

Dog Jog and 5K Run raises $103,000 for Richmond SPCA

More than 575 four-legged and 389 two-legged runners took part in Saturday’s seventh annual Dog Jog and 5K run, raising about $103,000 for the Richmond SPCA.

The 5K race for people and the 1-mile course for dogs and their two-legged companions started at the Robins-Starr Humane Center on Hermitage Road.

Event proceeds, which fell $3,000 short of the $106,000 fundraising goal, will benefit homeless animals and the nonprofit organization’s programs and services. Online donations may be made at www.richmondspca.org.

Brief by the Richmond Times-Dispatch

Helicopter crash injures 3

Richmond State police and Richmond authorities are investigating a helicopter crash Saturday night on Walmsley Boulevard that involved power lines and a passing vehicle. Three people received minor injuries, police said.

Virginia State Police Sgt. Chris Clark said that at about 9:15 p.m., Richmond police and fire departments received a call about a helicopter crash about 1 mile west of Jefferson Davis Highway.

Brief by the Richmond Times-Dispatch

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

US troop withdrawal through Turkey may get PM’s OK

Turkey’s prime minister said Saturday he would be receptive to the possibility of allowing American troops to withdraw from Iraq across Turkish territory, if the United States asks for permission.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he’s “positive” on the idea of U.S. troops crossing his country.

In an interview with CNN at the headquarters of his Justice and Development Party, Erdogan indicated he had not yet received an official request from his American ally for permission to move troops across Turkish soil.

Brief by CNN.com

500,000 expected for Pope’s last big Africa event

Hundreds of thousands of Angolans have gathered for an open-air mass that is the last major event of Pope Benedict XVI’s first African pilgrimage.

Officials expect 500,000 people while state television says it could be 3 million in this mainly Catholic country.

Portuguese news agency LUSA reported at least two people were killed in a stampede at a stadium before the pope addressed young people there Saturday.

Vatican officials say the pope will speak about the tragedy. Dozens at Saturday’s event collapsed from heat exhaustion.

Sunday’s crowds appear prepared for a stiflingly hot day on the outskirts of the seaside capital of Luanda, with parasols and cooler boxes. Some people spent the night in the open to ensure a sight of the Catholic leader.

Brief by The Associated Press

Deadly brawl at Sydney airport

A man was bludgeoned to death by a group of Australian motorcycle gang members in full view of dozens of people Sunday afternoon at Sydney airport. Witnesses described bikers swinging poles “like swords” at one another’s heads as the brawl spilled over two floors of Sydney’s domestic terminal.

Four suspects have been arrested and the others are said to have fled.
Police believe the fight broke out when a rival gang ambushed one group of bikers coming off a plane.

Police did not name any gangs thought to be involved, but Australian media reported that the brawl was between the Hell’s Angels and Comancheros gangs.

Brief by BBCnews.com

Tibetan monks ‘held after riot’

Some 93 monks were held by Chinese police after a riot in an ethnically Tibetan town, state-run media report. The monks were held after a crowd of at least 100 people attacked a police station in La’gyab township in Qinghai province on Saturday, Xinhua news agency said.

The agency quoted officials as saying policemen and government staff had been assaulted and “slightly injured.” The unrest apparently was sparked after a monk detained for advocating Tibetan independence escaped from jail.

Chinese authorities said the monk fled on Saturday and was still missing.

Brief by BBCnews.com