Nun testifies
PHILADELPHIA - A Roman Catholic nun has testified that she and two relatives were sexually abused by the same priest when they were children. The testimony is the latest in the landmark trial of a Philadelphia Archdiocese official charged with child endangerment for allegedly leaving abusive priests in ministry. The nun says all three went to the archdiocese in 1991 to ask monsignors James Malloy and William Lynn of the Office for Clergy that the priest be removed.
No-fly list
FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida - An 18-month-old girl was mistakenly pulled off a flight because airline employees thought her name was on the US no-fly list. The child's parents have told an ABC television network affiliate, WPBF, that they believe they were targeted because they are of Middle Eastern descent and the mother wears a hijab. An airline employee boarded the flight before it departed on Tuesday evening, telling the family their toddler was on a federal list that includes thousands of known or suspected terrorists. JetBlue airline yesterday blamed a computer glitch, saying employees followed proper protocol.
Pill to block HIV
SILVER SPRING, Maryland - A panel of federal health advisers has endorsed the first drug to prevent HIV infection in healthy people, clearing the way for a potentially landmark approval in the 30-year effort against the virus that causes AIDS. In a series of votes, the Food and Drug Administration panel recommended approval of the daily pill Truvada for healthy people who are at high risk of contracting HIV, including gay and bisexual men and heterosexual couples with one HIV-infected person.
Boat intercepted
CANBERRA - The navy has intercepted an asylum seeker boat northeast of Christmas Island carrying almost 100 passengers. Home Affairs Minister Jason Clare said yesterday that HMAS Wollongong intercepted the suspected irregular entry vessel overnight. It is believed there are 99 passengers and two crew onboard. "Border Protection Command will now make arrangements for the passengers to be transferred to Christmas Island where they will undergo initial security, health and identity checks and their reasons for travel will be established," Mr Clare said in a statement.
Duo charged
SYDNEY - A man and woman have been charged with murdering an 11-year-old boy in NSW's central west. The unconscious boy was discovered at a residence in Kandos, near Mudgee, after emergency services were called out in the early hours of October 1 last year. The child was taken to Rylstone Hospital but died a short time later. The Homicide Squad has been investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.
Man stabbed
SYDNEY - A man has been stabbed 11 times as he stood outside a unit block in Sydney's southwest. The 26-year-old was punched and stabbed in the shoulder, stomach and buttocks on McCauley Avenue in Bankstown on Thursday. He chased his attacker before returning to the unit complex and alerting a neighbour, who drove him to Bankstown Hospital. The man remains in hospital in a stable condition and underwent surgery overnight. Police are looking for a man described as being of Mediterranean or Middle Eastern appearance, 168cm tall and wearing a dark hooded top, tracksuit pants and white joggers.