In brief: Russia vetoes U.N. resolution over downed Malaysia Airlines plane
UNITED NATIONS – Russia on Wednesday vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution that would set up an international criminal court to prosecute those responsible for shooting down a Malaysia Airlines plane over Ukraine a year ago.
The foreign ministers of the Netherlands, Australia and Ukraine attended a meeting over the downing that killed all 298 people on board Flight MH17. The countries are among the five nations investigating the incident, along with Malaysia and Belgium.
Ukraine and the West suspect the plane, traveling from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, was hit by a surface-to-air missile fired by Russian soldiers or Russia-backed separatist rebels on July 17, 2014. Russia denies that, and state media have alleged the plane was shot down by a Ukrainian missile or warplane.
Wednesday’s vote followed a last-minute effort to lobby Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has said setting up a tribunal would not make sense while the investigation continued.
California coast sees 2-mile oil slick
GOLETA, Calif. – The Coast Guard says a 2-mile-wide oil slick that mysteriously materialized off the Southern California coast is expected to dissipate on its own in the days ahead.
Petty Officer 1st Class Sondra-Kay Kneen said authorities still don’t know where the slick that surfaced in the Santa Barbara Channel came from.
The oil-rich area is known for frequent natural seepage.
Two months ago, however, the area was flooded with 100,000 gallons of crude when a pipeline ruptured.
Group requests abuse investigation
NEW YORK – Advocates for victims of clergy sex abuse want a Vatican investigation of the archbishop of Newark, New Jersey.
A group of Roman Catholic priests, nuns and canon lawyers who call themselves the Catholic Whistleblowers say an investigation is needed because Archbishop John Myers has been hostile to victims and has failed to stop predators from molesting children in Newark and in his previous diocese of Peoria, Illinois.
The group wants an inquiry through the new tribunal Pope Francis formed to discipline bishops who don’t protect young people.
Myers’ spokesman said the archbishop has aggressively confronted abusers and has removed 19 priests from church work in the Newark archdiocese alone.