Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
DONETSK, Ukraine (AP) — The Kremlin says Russian President Vladimir Putin supports Ukraine's cease-fire plan and calls on both sides to halt all military operations. Ukraine's president ordered Ukrainian troops to observe a unilateral, week-long cease-fire starting last night. It's meant as a first step in a peace plan that would include an amnesty for pro-Russian separatists who lay down their weapons. Earlier today, Russia's foreign minister dismissed the plan as an "ultimatum" to rebels.
MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK, Wash. (AP) — Rescuers on Washington's Mount Rainier are spending a third day searching for well-known outdoors writer Karen Sykes, who hasn't been seen since she separated from her hiking partner on Wednesday. The National Park Service says six ground crews, including two dog teams, are combing an expanded search area. Rescuers also searched by air.
FALFURRIAS, Texas (AP) — Volunteer researchers have uncovered mass graves in a South Texas cemetery that they believe contain the bodies of people who died crossing into the U.S. illegally. Two university anthropologists say the remains in Sacred Heart Burial Park in Falfurrias (fal-FYOO'-ree-uhs) were in trash bags, shopping bags, body bags or without a container. The Corpus Christi Caller Times reports that some were found under temporary grave markers bearing the name of a funeral home that's paid to handle bodies found near a U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint.
NEW YORK (AP) — Longtime congressman Charles Rangel says he's confident he will prevail in his primary on Tuesday. The 22-term New York Democrat compares himself to a seasoned racehorse who continues to win and bring in prize money. The 84-year-old Rangel spoke to reporters today at a storefront church in New York City, where he was endorsed by about a dozen Spanish-speaking ministers.
COLUMBIA, Md. (AP) — Businessman and philanthropist Gordon Gund is pledging $50 million in matching donations as part of an effort to restore vision for some blind people. Gund is chairman of the Foundation Fighting Blindness. The 74-year-old former owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers lost his sight to a degenerative retinal disease at age 30. The foundation says Gund will match $50 million or more in contributions to fund research to cure retinal diseases that cause blindness.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
