Towering inferno
YONGBYON, North Korea — The gray cooling tower of North Korea’s nuclear reactor is reduced to a pile of rubble Friday, a show by the communist regime to affirm an intention to stop making atomic bombs. The tower’s destruction was not mentioned by the North’s media or shown on state TV broadcasts. The demolition came in response to U.S. concessions announced Thursday to remove Pyongyang from terrorism and sanctions blacklists after the North delivered a long-awaited declaration of its nuclear programs.
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Athletes taking Viagra?
Athletes looking for a performance boost appear to be turning to Viagra, according to the World Anti-Doping Agency. Experts are divided over whether the erectile dysfunction drug actually offers an edge. It has not been banned at the Olympics.
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Poll knocks schools
Half of Americans say U.S. schools are doing only a fair to poor job preparing kids for college and the work force. Even more feel that way about the skills kids need to survive, an AP poll released Friday finds.
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Taliban regrouping
A new Pentagon report says the Taliban has regrouped after its initial fall from power in Afghanistan. The new report offers a dim view of progress in the nearly 7-year-old war, noting that insurgent violence continues to climb.
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Fighting floods
Flood fighters in Winfield, Mo., built a sandbag levee to stave off waters from the Mississippi River on Friday and protect 100 homes. A burrowing muskrat brought down the saturated Pin Oak levee shortly before dawn.
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Fakes for brakes
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is testing fake speed bumps to slow down drivers. The flat piece of blue, white and orange plastic is designed to look like a 3D pyramid from afar.
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AND FINALLY
— N.J. governor signs law allowing casinos to stay open in event of a state government shutdown.
— Florida woman offers home for sale — and chance to marry her — on eBay and Craigslist.
— Pakistani militants execute two Afghani prisoners, claiming they aided a U.S. missile strike.
— Voter intimidation in Zimbabwe runoff further damages vote designed to bolster President Robert Mugabe’s credibility.
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THE DIGIT
5.7%
The amount that disposable incomes, the amount left after paying taxes, increased in May. It was the biggest increase since May 1975, reflecting $48.1 billion in economic stimulus checks paid by the government last month.
