U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Wednesdayhe will discuss a proposed "humanitarian pause" inYemen during his talks in Saudi Arabia. A Saudi-ledinternational coalition has been fighting Houthi rebelsseeking to oust the Yemeni government. TheHouthis have taken control of parts of Yemen.Hundreds of civilians have died in the conflict.
Secretary Kerry also announced $68 million in new U.S. aid to Yemen. The State Departmentsays the aid will support agencies providing food, water, shelter and other assistance to 16million people.
Baltimore mayor seeks federal investigation of city's police department
The U.S. city of Baltimore, Maryland will ask the United States Justice Department toinvestigate the city's police department. Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake says the investigationwill look into police "patterns and practices." She says investigators will try to learn if Baltimorepolice violate federal laws about searches and seizures.
Last month a 25-year-old black man died of a spinal cord injury he received in police detention.Freddie Gray's death led to peaceful protests and riots in the city.
Officials look for links between Islamic State and Texas attack
U.S. officials are trying to learn if there are any links between the Islamic State group and twogunmen who attacked a gathering in Garland, Texas Sunday. A security guard was injured.Police killed both gunmen.
Investigators looked at a Twitter account linked to one of the men as well as electronic devicesused by both. On Wednesday, officials said a message was posted on the Twitter accountabout 20 minutes before the shooting. The tweet said: "May Allah accept us as mujahideen," orholy Muslim fighters.
On Tuesday, the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack. Police identified thegunmen in the Garland attack as Elton Simpson, 31, and Nadir Soofi, 34.
Death sentences for four Afghans in Kabul attack
A court in Afghanistan has sentenced four men to death and jailed eight more for the beatingdeath of a woman in March.
A mob killed 27-year-old Farkhunda in March after accusing her of burning a Quran. Wednesdaymorning, her mother asked a courtroom in Kabul to get justice for her daughter.
Farkhunda's violent death led to protests and demands for action. Thirty civilians and 19 policeofficers were arrested and charged with either taking part in the attack or failing to stop it.
