Good morning. Here are some of the stories we’re following.
1. Final push for Iran nuclear deal
The United States and other world powers are making a final push to strike a nuclear deal with Iran. The talks are aimed at preventing Iran from developing a bomb in exchange for easing international sanctions. The German foreign minister says there could still be “further crisis,” but Iran’s lead negotiator says a deal is a still “doable.” Read more in NEWS.
2. Woman linked to Germanwings pilot is questioned
Investigators in Germany have questioned a woman described as the partner of Andreas Lubitz, the co-pilot believed to have deliberately crashed Germanwings Flight 9525 into the French Alps last week. A German newspaper reports that Lubitz was suffering a psychosomatic illness and that police found prescription medication in searches of his home. Read more in NEWS.
3. Apple CEO takes on ‘religious freedom’ bill in Indiana
The CEO of Apple, the most valuable company in the world, is broadening his criticism of an Indiana law that opponents say could allow businesses to discriminate against gay people on religious grounds. CEO Tim Cook says the law and laws like it “rationalize injustice.” “This is about how we treat each other as human beings,” he wrote in an Op-Ed in The Washington Post. Read more in NEWS.
4. Eight killed in crash of church van in Florida
At least eight people have been killed in the crash of a church van in Florida. The Florida Highway Patrol says the van careened across a highway, struck an embankment and wound up in a steep, watery canal. At least 10 people are reported injured, including two whose condition was described as “trauma alert.” The van was on its way from Fort Myers to Fort Pierce, home of the church. Read more in NEWS.
5. Amanda Knox’s ex-boyfriend ‘crazy with joy’
The ex-boyfriend of Amanda Knox says he and his family went “crazy with joy” when an Italian court overturned his and Knox’s murder convictions. Raffaele Sollecito told NBC News that it was “a chaos of happiness.” He and Knox were convicted, freed, reconvicted and then acquitted again in the death of Meredith Kercher, Knox’s roommate when she was studying in Italy in 2007. Read more in NEWS.
6. Battle over Robin Williams estate heads back to court
Lawyers for the wife and children of Robin Williams are headed back to court in San Francisco in their battle over his estate. They are arguing over who should get clothes and other items that Williams kept at one of his Northern California homes. The widow, Susan, says some of Williams’ personal items were taken without her permission. The children say she’s trying to rob them of his belongings. Read more in POP CULTURE.