1. Obama threats
The U.S. Secret Service is investigating in Howell, Mich., two letters threatening Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama. Douglas Zloto, resident agent in charge of the federal agency’s Saginaw office, said authorities are trying to determine the nature and extent of the threats.
2. Ike toll at 51
Hurricane Ike’s death toll in the U.S. climbed to 51 on Wednesday and appeared to level off in Texas, where search teams pulled out of Galveston having searched the entire island for survivors.
3. Nickels scattered on road
The Florida Highway Patrol closed part of Interstate 95 in Mims, Fla., after a truck carrying $187,000 in nickels crashed and scattered coins across the road, killing one person.
4. Gates’ pledge
Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Wednesday expressed “personal regret” for recent U.S. airstrikes that killed Afghan civilians, and pledged more accurate targeting in future.
5. Fur flies
It was bare skin for bearskin on Wednesday, as animal rights protesters took Britain to task for dressing Buckingham Palace guards in ceremonial bearskin hats. Greek police briefly detained two animal rights activists who took their clothes off outside the British embassy in Athens.
6. Drug sub
A Costa Rican official says U.S. authorities have intercepted a submarine-like vessel packed with tons of cocaine. The vessel was transporting an estimated 6.6 tons of cocaine.
‘Tickle’ the terrorist
The Central Intelligence Agency is using strikes against enemy targets to learn how the groups respond when attacked, the agency’s director said Wednesday. Michael Hayden said the CIA is trying to “tickle” enemy groups just to provoke a reaction.
