Murder capital
New Orleans is again the nation’s murder capital after briefly losing the title. With 64 killings per 100,000 people in 2008, New Orleans had the highest per capita murder rate, well ahead of second-place St. Louis, which had 47 murders per 100,000 people.
Iran invited
In a new overture to Iran, the Obama administration has authorized U.S. embassies around the world to invite Iranian officials to Independence Day parties they host on or around 4th of July.
Suitcase drug
Police in Santiago, Chile, say two suitcases carried by a woman who was about to fly from Chile to Spain were made of cocaine.
Confessions down
A Vatican official is lamenting that many faithful no longer confess their sins, and says some confuse a psychologist’s couch for a confessional booth.
U.S. deaths up
U.S. deaths in Afghanistan have risen to 65 so far this year, up from 36 over the first five months of 2008 — though U.S. and coalition troops also have killed hundreds more militants, an Associated Press tally shows.
