AP Top News at 4:05 p.m. EDT

June 23, 2015

AP Top News at 4:05 p.m. EDT
Tuesday June 23rd, 2015 at 5:35 PM

AP Top News at 4:05 p.m. EDT

Brady appeal continues into late afternoon at NFL officesNEW YORK (AP) - Tom Brady and representatives from the players' union have been meeting with Commissioner Roger Goodell at NFL headquarters for much of Tuesday as the New England quarterback appeals his four-game suspension. Brady was suspended by the league for his role in the use of deflated footballs in the AFC championship game win over Indianapolis. He arrived at the NFL's Park Avenue offices Tuesday morning, as did attorney Jeffrey Kessler, who is leading Brady's defense.

SC lawmakers agree to debate removing Confederate flagCOLUMBIA, South Carolina (AP) - South Carolina lawmakers took their first step toward removing the Confederate battle flag from their Statehouse grounds Tuesday as protesters outside demanded the flag come down in response to the hate-crime killings of nine people inside their historic black church. South Carolina House Speaker Jay Lucas described the killings a "terrorizing act of violence shook the very core of every South Carolinian."

Senate vote moves Obama's trade agenda to brink of enactmentWASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama's long-pursued trade agenda took a giant step toward becoming law on Tuesday, and opponents grudgingly conceded they now must fight on less-favorable terrain. A key Senate vote greatly brightened Obama's hopes for a 12-nation Pacific-rim trade agreement, which could prove a high point in a second term that has often been frustrating.

Searchers buoyed by fresh DNA comb woods for escaped inmatesBELLMONT, N.Y. (AP) - Hundreds of searchers spurred on by fresh evidence methodically combed through heavy woods in far northern New York on Tuesday hoping to finally close in on two elusive murderers who escaped from a maximum-security prison more than two weeks ago. Authorities began committing heavy resources to the remote woods days ago after leads from a hunting camp that was apparently broken into led to "good evidence, DNA data" regarding inmates David Sweat and Richard Matt, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Roadblocks were in place Tuesday around the remote hamlets of Owls Head and Mountain View in an area of rugged terrain about 20 miles west of Clinton County Correctional Facility.

Federal agencies are wide open to hackers, cyberspiesWASHINGTON (AP) - Passwords written down on desks. Outdated anti-virus software. "Perceived ineptitude" in information technology departments. The federal government, which holds secrets and sensitive information ranging from nuclear blueprints to the tax returns of hundreds of millions of Americans, has for years failed to take basic steps to protect its data from hackers and thieves, records show.

US won't threaten to prosecute hostages' families for ransomWASHINGTON (AP) - Softening longstanding policy, the Obama administration will tell families of Americans held by terror groups that they can communicate with captors and even pay ransom without fear of prosecution. The shift comes as part of a broad review of U.S. hostage guidelines that will be released Wednesday. President Barack Obama ordered the review last fall after the deaths of Americans held hostage by the Islamic State. The families of some of those killed complained about their dealings with the administration, saying they were threatened with criminal prosecution if they pursued paying ransom in exchange for their loved ones' release.

Clinton to address Charleston shooting, race near FergusonFLORISSANT, Mo. (AP) - Hillary Rodham Clinton is putting America's struggle with race relations at the forefront of her presidential campaign, joining with church members near the epicenter of violent protests in Ferguson, Missouri, as the nation grapples with the deadly shootings of nine black church members in South Carolina. The leading Democratic presidential contender plans to attend a community meeting Tuesday at a church in Florissant, Missouri, a short drive from the site of the unrest in Ferguson after the August death of Michael Brown, a black, unarmed 18-year-old, who was shot by white Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson. Brown's death spurred outrage and led to a national "Black Lives Matter" movement demanding changes in how police deal with minorities.

Latest on church shooting: Senator introduces flag bill3:50 p.m. A South Carolina senator has proposed a bill that would move the Confederate flag from the Statehouse to a relic room in a museum.

APNewsBreak: Husband denied knowing of dead babies in garagePROVO, Utah (AP) - Investigators had a hard time believing a Utah man didn't know his wife killed six of their babies and stored them in their garage, but they didn't have any evidence to pursue charges and eventually concluded he may have been so high on drugs he didn't realize what was happening, according to public records obtained by The Associated Press. Under intense questioning from detectives after the April 2014 discovery in Pleasant Grove, Utah, Darren West repeatedly denied knowing of his wife's shocking actions, according to transcripts of police interviews obtained Monday through a public records request.

Creator of pink plastic lawn flamingo dies at 79BOSTON (AP) - Don Featherstone was a classically trained painter, a talented sculptor and artist who became famous for creating the pink plastic lawn flamingo - the ultimate piece of American suburban kitsch. And it didn't bother him a bit.

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US Senate Revives Obama Trade Agendaby webdesk@voanews.com (Michael Bowman)
Tuesday June 23rd, 2015 at 5:35 PM

Voice Of America

The U.S. Senate has again advanced legislation to facilitate the approval of two trade pacts spanning the Atlantic and the Pacific. Tuesday’s procedural vote revived President Barack Obama’s trade agenda, which had been dealt a severe blow when Trade Promotion Authority stalled on Capitol Hill earlier this month. VOA’s Michael Bowman reports.

Former Warlords Unite To Fight Taliban In Afghanistan's Northby noreply@rferl.org (Frud Bezhan)
Tuesday June 23rd, 2015 at 5:34 PM

Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty

Atta Mohammad Noor, the powerful governor of Afghanistan's Balkh Province, says he has forged an alliance with the unlikeliest of candidates -- former rival warlord and First Vice President Abdul Rashid Dostum -- in order to combat the Taliban in the country's restive north.

US and China look at ways to improve future ties by AFP
Tuesday June 23rd, 2015 at 5:34 PM

AFP's YouTube Videos

From: AFP
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The United States and China candidly laid bare their differences Tuesday as they grapple with managing future ties, with both sides insisting confrontation was not in the world's interests.

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Iran's Khamenei rules out freezing sensitive nuclear work for long period
Tuesday June 23rd, 2015 at 5:34 PM

Reuters: World News

ANKARA (Reuters) - Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Tuesday ruled out freezing sensitive nuclear work in the country for a long time and said sanctions imposed on it should be lifted as soon it reaches a final deal with major powers, state TV reported.

US Senate Revives Obama Trade Agenda by VOAvideo
Tuesday June 23rd, 2015 at 5:34 PM

VOAvideo's YouTube Videos

From: VOAvideo
Duration: 02:43

Originally published at - http://www.voanews.com/media/video/united-states-senate-revives-obama-trade-agenda/2834333.html

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