Police in the U.S. arrested a man Thursday in connection with a mass shooting in South Carolina Wednesday. Twenty-one year old Dylann Storm Roof is suspected of killing nine people at an African-American church in the city of Charleston. Federal investigators say they will pursue hate crimes charges against the suspect.
Investigators say the suspect walked into the church during a weekly prayer meeting. He sat with the churchgoers for about an hour before he started shooting.
In a televised speech on Thursday, President Barack Obama said he and his wife, Michelle, personally know several members of the church, including the pastor who was murdered.
U.S. House of Representatives revive Obama trade deal
The U.S. House of Representatives has voted to give President Barack Obama fast-track power to complete a trade agreement with 11 Pacific Ocean countries.
The vote means Congress can accept or reject the final agreement but cannot make changes to it.
Democratic lawmakers had widely opposed the bill. They argued it would give U.S. businesses more power to move jobs overseas to cut labor costs.
South Korea reports three more MERS deaths; Thailand confirms first MERS patient
The number of deaths from Middle East Respiratory Syndrome in South Korea has risen to 23, officials said Thursday. South Korea's health ministry said it has also confirmed three more cases of MERS. The total number of known infections is now 165.
Thailand reported its first case of MERS. Thailand’s public health minister spoke to reporters in Bangkok. He said a heart patient from Oman is infected.
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Words in the News
pursue – v. to try to get or do (something) over a period of time
pastor – n. a minister or priest in charge of a church or parish
fast-track – adj. producing a desired result quickly