In brief: Chavez returns to Venezuela
CARACAS, Venezuela – President Hugo Chavez made an unannounced return to Venezuela on Saturday night after spending a week in Cuba undergoing chemotherapy, saying that he expects a series of additional cancer treatments will take time.
Chavez said the chemotherapy in the past week went well but that risks remain.
The 56-year-old underwent surgery in Cuba on June 20 to remove a cancerous tumor, which he said was the size of a baseball.
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas – A man attending a birthday party at a North Texas roller rink opened fire Saturday night after an apparent spat between family members, killing five people and wounding at least three others before fatally shooting himself, authorities said.
The shootings happened in Grand Prairie. Police said the man drew a pistol during a fight between a husband and wife. The names and ages of the victims weren’t immediately released.
Neighbor held in boy’s death
OSSIAN, Ind. – A man has been arrested and charged with reckless homicide in the death of a 4-year-old Indiana boy who authorities say was fatally shot while fishing with his father.
The Wells County Sheriff’s Department said 46-year-old Bruce Pond was charged with reckless homicide Saturday in the death of his neighbor, 4-year-old Jacob Michuba.
Sheriff Monte Fisher said the boy was fishing with his father and his father’s friend Friday night when the shots were fired. He said alcohol was involved.
GOP candidates crowd Straw Poll
DES MOINES, Iowa – Nine Republican presidential candidates will appear on the ballot for the Iowa Straw Poll, a party fundraiser where thousands of GOP activists weigh in on the presidential field.
The Iowa GOP State Central Committee said Saturday the six candidates who reserved space at the Aug. 13 event at Iowa State University are Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, Georgia businessman Herman Cain, Michigan Rep. Thaddeus McCotter, Texas Rep. Ron Paul, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum.
The committee also selected three others: former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.
Stranded whales die near Scotland
LONDON – At least 25 whales have died after being stranded on the coast of Scotland, an animal welfare charity said Saturday.
Nearly 70 pilot whales found themselves in shallow water at low tide, near the town of Kyle of Durness in northwestern Scotland, according to the charity British Divers Marine Life Rescue.
BDMLR managed to refloat and herd 44 of the mammals back into deeper water.