France to float resolution at UN Security Council over alleged Syria chemical weapons use.

France will float a resolution in the U.N. Security Council aimed at forcing Syria to make public its chemical weapons program, place it under international control and dismantle it, the French foreign minister said Tuesday. Laurent Fabius said France, a permanent member of the 15-nation U.N. body, will start the resolution process on Tuesday under Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter, which is militarily enforceable. The proposal would also condemn a chemical weapons attack near Damascus on Aug. 21 that Western powers allege was carried out by Syrian President Bashar Assad’s regime — a claim he has denied. Photos of the day Queen Elizabeth II attends sack race, Miss World contestants, peace vigil for Syria, Japan wins 2020 Olympics bid and more. Friday's Photos of the day Latest stories from Foreign In central Mexico, it’s citizens vs. cartel Stephanie McCrummen 6:14 AM ET Soldiers look on as self-defense groups challenge a drug gang in the hills of Michoacan. Obama: Russia’s Syria proposal a potential ‘breakthrough’ Anne Gearan, Karen DeYoung and Will Englund 5:49 AM ET Syria embraces Moscow’s call to relinquish control of chemical weapons to avoid a U.S. strike. Kremlin critic has strong showing in Moscow mayoral race Will Englund SEP 9 Despite an election defeat, opposition turnout almost guarantees a shift in the Russian political landscape. Justice a question mark as Kenyan leader faces trial Sudarsan Raghavan SEP 9 Deputy President William Ruto is the first sitting elected leader on trial at The Hague. Navalny loses Moscow race, but declares moral victory Kathy Lally 2:54 AM ET The opposition leader proclaims the birth of a new and stronger opposition as he loses mayoral election. .The French initiative comes a day after Russia, a fellow permanent member of the council that has been a key ally of Assad’s regime, expressed support for a proposal for Syria’s chemical weapons arsenals to be placed under international control and destroyed. Fabius said the resolution, based around five points, would demand that Syria “bring fully to light” its chemical weapons program. The measure would also set up international inspections and controls of the dismantling process, and would carry “very serious consequences” if the commitment were violated. It would also seek to bring to justice those responsible for the Aug. 21 attack. The minister said he expected a “nearly immediate” commitment from Syria. He said Russia had information about Damascus’ chemical weapons stockpile, and expressed hope that this time a tough resolution on Syria would not be blocked — an allusion to a string of efforts led by Western powers at the U.N. body in recent months that were blocked by Russia and China. Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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Scores Reported Dead as Train Derails in Spain

A high-speed passenger train that was reportedly traveling at more than double the speed limit derailed just outside a station in northwest Spain on Wednesday evening, killing at least 60 of those on board, according to local news reports. Multimedia Fatal Spanish Train Wreck Connect With Us on Twitter Follow @nytimesworld for international breaking news and headlines. Twitter List: Reporters and Editors Enlarge This Image The New York Times The train, carrying 218 passengers and 4 crew members, was traveling between Madrid and Ferrol when it derailed at 8:41 p.m., the Spanish national train company Renfe said in a statement. It was about two miles from the station in the city of Santiago de Compostela. Citing unidentified sources, the Web site of the Spanish newspaper El País reported that the train had been traveling at 110 miles per hour, but that the speed limit for the stretch of track where the derailment occurred was 50. The train derailed with such force that one car leapt 15 feet in the air and 45 feet from the tracks, the newspaper said. Renfe said in a statement early Thursday that its technicians and those from Adif, the state-owned railroad company that reports to the Ministry of Public Works, had arrived to help in the rescue, repair tracks and “clarify the causes of the accident.” Pictures from the scene showed the train lying zigzagged on its side across the tracks. At least one car had been torn open and was jammed on top of another. What appeared to be bodies were covered in makeshift blankets by the side of the tracks as emergency workers struggled to pull the dead and injured from the train’s windows as night fell. “The road is full of cadavers,” a radio reporter, Xaime López, said on the station Cadena Ser. “It’s striking: you almost can’t even count them.” Precise casualty figures were not immediately available, but El País, citing local officials, said at least 60 people had died and more than 100 were injured, 10 to 20 of them seriously. The derailment occurred on the eve of an annual religious and cultural festival in Santiago de Compostela that attracts hordes of visitors and pilgrims, according to the region’s tourist board. The Spanish government is working from the assumption that the derailment was an accident, The Associated Press reported, not an act of terrorism. A total of 191 people were killed in the 2004 bombing by Islamist extremists of four commuter trains in Madrid. Calls to the offices of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy of Spain and representatives of the Spanish government in the United States were not immediately answered Wednesday night. A passenger, Sergio Prego, told Cadena Ser that the train had jumped off the tracks at a curve. “It was a disaster,” he said. “I was lucky.” Another passenger, Ricardo Montesco, who was in the second car, told a local radio station: “It happened very fast. At a curve, the train started rolling over, some cars were on top of others and a lot of people were trapped at the bottom. We had to get out from underneath the cars and we realized the train was on fire.” If the initial casualty estimates hold, the accident will rank among Europe’s most deadly rail crashes in recent years. In 2006, an underground metro train in Valencia, Spain, derailed and killed 41 people. Excessive speed on a curve was cited as a factor. Elias E. Lopez contributed reporting.

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Sales of Existing U.S. Homes Unexpectedly Decrease: Economy

Previously owned home sales fell unexpectedly in June as tight supply and increasing rates for mortgages imperiled the real-estate market recovery in the U.S. Enlarge image A potential home buyer with an agent in Phoenix, Arizona. Photographer: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images 2:41 July 22 (Bloomberg) -- Drew Matus, senior U.S. economist at UBS Securities, talks about today's report on June U.S. existing home sales and the economy. Matus speaks with Sara Eisen and Deirdre Bolton on Bloomberg Television's "Market Makers." (Source: Bloomberg) 6:07 July 22 (Bloomberg) -- Robert Shiller, a professor at Yale University and co-creator of the S&P/Case-Shiller home price index, and Chris Rupkey, chief financial economist at Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, talk about the outlook for the U.S. housing market. They speak with Julie Hyman and Adam Johnson on Bloomberg Television's "Street Smart." (Source: Bloomberg) Enlarge image A potential homebuyer walks through a house for sale in the Logan Circle neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg Sponsored Links Buy a link Purchases (ETSLTOTL) fell 1.2 percent to a 5.08 million annualized rate, the National Association of Realtors reported today in Washington. The median forecast of 79 economists surveyed by Bloomberg called for a 5.26 million pace. Demand was the second-strongest since November 2009 following May’s downwardly revised 5.14 million rate. First-time buyers are having difficulty finding properties for less than $100,000 as a lack of inventory pushes up property values, and higher mortgage rates are also starting to cool demand for more expensive houses in the West and Northeast, the real-estate agents group said. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke last week said housing was one of the bright spots for growth and added policy makers will monitor the recent jump in borrowing costs to ensure it won’t derail the nascent recovery. “Demand is still fairly strong, but this is where the inventory constraints come into play,” said Richard Moody, chief economist at Regions Financial Corp. in Birmingham, Alabama, who predicted sales would decline to a 4.99 million pace. “Inventories still remain fairly tight, particularly on the low end of the price scale.” The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index climbed 0.2 percent to 1,695.53 at the close in New York as investors analyzed corporate earnings and home sales to gauge the prospects for continued central bank stimulus. The S&P Supercomposite Homebuilding Index dropped 1.8 percent. Economists’ Estimates Estimates in the Bloomberg survey of economists ranged from 4.99 million to 5.5 million. The prior month’s pace was revised from a previously reported 5.18 million. Sales climbed 8.2 percent from June 2012 before adjusting for seasonal variations, today’s report showed. The median price of an existing home climbed 13.5 percent to $214,200 last month from $188,800 a year earlier. The number of properties on the market increased 1.9 percent to 2.19 million, the fewest for any June since 2001. These data aren’t adjusted for seasonal changes, so it’s important to compare figures for the same month each year. “There’s going to be a few bumps in the road, but overall we expect the housing market to look pretty decent,” said Michael Feroli, chief U.S. economist at JPMorgan Chase & Co. in New York, who projected sales would slow to a 5.05 million pace. Potential Sellers About 47 percent of Realtors surveyed in June said they had potential sellers who were waiting for prices to increase further before putting their houses on the market, according to the NAR’s report. Due to increasing prices, the shortage was particularly acute for homes valued at less than $100,000, making it difficult for first-time buyers to find affordable properties, NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun said at a news conference as the figures were released. First-time buyers accounted for 29 percent of sales last month, down from the more typical 40 percent to 45 percent, according to the agents’ group. Sales of homes priced at less than $100,000 made up 14.7 percent of the market in June, down from 24.1 percent as recently as February, the NAR said. In addition, the increase in borrowing costs is starting to cool demand in higher-priced regions such as California, New York City and Boston, Yun said. Preliminary data for pending home sales in those areas is showing a slackening in demand, he said. Mortgage Rates Speculation that the Fed is getting closer to paring its bond buying has caused mortgage rates to increase. The average rate on a 30-year fixed loan was at 4.37 percent in the third week of July, up from a record low of 3.31 percent in November, according to data from Freddie Mac. Bernanke last week said the improved housing market, along with rising car sales, is driving the recovery, bolstered by low mortgage rates and household formation. “The housing sector is certainly an important component of the recovery,” Bernanke said July 17 while testifying before the House Financial Services Committee. “Housing prices going up are not only beneficial in terms of stimulating more construction,” but also improve household balance sheets and encourage consumer spending, he said. The Fed chairman tried to reassure markets that the central bank is monitoring the recent jump in borrowing costs. Fed’s Bernanke “We will be watching to see if the movement in mortgage rates has any material effect on housing,” Bernanke said in response to questions. “If we think that mortgage-rate increases are threatening that progress, then we would have to take additional action in the monetary sphere to try to address that.” Existing-home sales are recovering after reaching a 13-year low of 4.11 million in 2008. The market peaked at a record 7.08 million in 2005. Resales accounted for about 93 percent of the residential market in 2012. The strengthening housing market has bolstered household wealth and suggests the economic expansion will hold. “While commercial loan demand is still modest, jobs are being created, consumer confidence is increasing and the housing market continues to demonstrate strong momentum,” said John G. Stumpf, chairman and chief executive officer of San Francisco-based Wells Fargo & Co., in a July 12 earnings call. Second-quarter strength in the housing market has improved the company’s results “in a number of ways, including higher originations for home purchases, lower environmental costs, reduced repurchased reserves and improved credit quality.” Builder Revenue Accelerated demand for new homes amid a tight supply has strengthened revenue for U.S. homebuilders. Los Angeles-based KB Home (KBH), the best-performing U.S. homebuilder stock this year, said it expects to have “meaningful profits” in the second half as revenue and home prices continue to rise. “With the limited supply of homes available for sale and robust demand in many of our served markets, we have deliberately emphasized price and value creation over sales pace,” said Jeffrey Mezger, president and chief executive officer, in a June 27 statement. The uptick in borrowing costs has created a sense of urgency among buyers, at least from what he’s heard anecdotally, Mezger said in a conference call with analysts.

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Potential witness in Bulger gangster trial found dead

BOSTON -- A body found near Lincoln, Mass., has been identified as Stephen "Stippo" Rakes, once thought to be a prosecution witness in the ongoing racketeering trial of notorious South Boston gangster James "Whitey" Bulger. Rakes had been scheduled to testify that Bulger and members of his Winter Hill gang forced him at gunpoint to sell his liquor store to Bulger in 1984. But the U.S. Attorney's Office told Rakes Tuesday that they did not plan to call him to testify, according to Rakes' family. Rakes' body was found at about 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, according to the Middlesex District Attorney's Office. There were no signs of trauma to Rakes' body. The medical examiner's office is conducting an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death. ABC News reported that police told Rakes' family that the death appeared to be a suicide. No phone or wallet was found on the body. Local and state authorities are investigating. Steve Davis, a Rakes' friend and brother of another alleged Bulger victim, told the Boston Globe that the decision not to testify had devastated Rakes, 59. Davis told ABC News that Rakes would not have killed himself and "was looking forward to testifying." He said Rakes, who had been attending Bulger's trial regularly over the past six weeks, had planned to deliver a "big bombshell" on the witness stand. Rakes was a particularly angry and determined victim of Bulger's gangland tactics. He was apparently supposed to testify that Bulger, 83, and Winter Hill gang member Stephen "The Rifleman" Flemmi threatened his daughters at gunpoint and forced him to sell his South Boston liquor store for $100,000. The building eventually became Bulger's headquarters. Whitey Bulger, 83, is charged with 19 murders, racketeering, extortion, weapons offenses and money-laundering.(Photo: 2011 AP photo) Rakes was an outspoken pre-trial critic of Bulger. "The day I see him in a box, not breathing, will be better," Rakes said in April. Tommy Donahue, son of alleged Bulger victim Michael Donahue, said Thursday that Rakes "wanted to get up there and tell his side of the story." Among relatives of Bulger's victims, word of Rakes' death was devastating. "I feel so bad,'' Patricia Donahue, whose husband was allegedly slain by Bulger, told the Boston Globe. "You sit here every day with these victims and they become part of your life. He seemed so spirited. He had a lot of spirit." Bulger, a much-feared South Boston gangster for decades, fled the city in 1994 ahead of his arrest. He was captured in California two years ago after 16 years on the run. Bulger has pleaded not guilty to 48 charges, including 19 counts of murder, extortion, money laundering, obstruction of justice, perjury, narcotics distribution, and weapons violations. Trial observers say Rakes' death shouldn't affect the outcome of the trial. "He had a special level of outrage and really wanted to tell his story, but his story was not consistent" with prior testimony by key prosecution witness Kevin Weeks, says Rosanna Cavallaro, a Suffolk University criminal law professor. Last week, the testimony of Weeks, Bulger's former right-hand man, included his account of how Bulger acquired Rakes' liquor store. Weeks denied that the gang forced Rakes to sell the store, saying Rakes had agreed to an offer from Bulger to buy the store for $100,000. He said when they arrived at Rakes' house to close the deal, Rakes said his wife didn't want to sell the store and complained about the price. "He was trying to shake us down," Weeks testified. Weeks said he pulled a gun out of his waistband and put it on a table, in front of Rakes' two young daughters, who were in the room. One of the girls was bouncing on Bulger's lap and reached for the gun, and Bulger told Weeks to put it away. Bulger told Rakes that he couldn't back out of the sale and they made the deal, according to the testimony. Rakes was present for the testimony and later disputed the account, saying he was forced to sell the liquor store. "Kevin continues to lie, as usual, because that's what he has to do," Rakes said that day. "My liquor store was never for sale - never, never, never." Contributing: Kevin Johnson and the Associated Press

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Zimmerman verdict spawns protests across country

If the George Zimmerman murder trial didn't polarize America enough, the verdict certainly did. While supporters of Zimmerman's acquittal kept largely quiet after the weekend decision, outraged protesters poured into the streets across the country Sunday and early Monday While the vast majority of protests were peaceful, parts of Los Angeles grew tense. Some protesters hurled flashlight batteries, rocks and chunks of concrete toward police, Los Angeles police spokesman Andrew Smith said. Police responded by shooting about a half dozen bean bags at protesters. Father, son react to Zimmerman verdict Demonstrators march following a peaceful rally at the Torch of Freedom in downtown Miami on July 14. A jury acquitted George Zimmerman of all charges related to the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. View photos of key moments from the trial. Parishioners arrive for Sunday service at Allen Chapel AME church in the historic black neighborhood of Goldsboro on Sunday, July 14, in Sanford, Florida. During the service Pastor Valarie Houston compared 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, who was shot and killed in February 2012 by neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman, to civil rights icons Medgar Evans and Emmitt Till. People gather at a rally honoring Trayvon Martin at Union Square in Manhattan on July 14, in New York City. People hold hands in a circle at a rally honoring Trayvon Martin at Union Square in Manhattan on July 14, in New York City. Demonstrators march following a peaceful rally at the Torch of Freedom in downtown Miami on July 14. People wear hoodies during services remembering Trayvon Martin at Middle Collegiate Church in New York on Sunday, July 14. People in New York react to the news that George Zimmerman was found not guilty on Saturday, July 13. "Justice for Trayvon" is written on the ground as people gather at Union Square in New York on July 13. People attend a rally in Los Angeles following the Zimmerman verdict on July 13. A protester shouts in the streets of New York on July 13. People gather for a demonstration in Los Angeles on July 13. A man in Los Angeles wears a shirt in support of Trayvon Martin on July 13. Protesters chant outside the Seminole County courthouse in Sanford, Florida, after Zimmerman was found not guilty on July 13. Tanetta Foster cries in front of the courthouse on July 13 after hearing the verdict. A Trayvon Martin supporter rallies outside the courthouse on July 13. After Martin's death, protesters started wearing hoodies in solidarity against racial profiling. Darrsie Jackson cries and comforts her children Linzey Stafford, left, 10, and Shauntina Stafford, 11, outside the courthouse on July 13. A woman addresses the media after the verdict on July 13. Protesters react to the not guilty verdict on July 13. Melinda O'Neal, left, breaks into tears and hugs Shedrick Burfect outside the courthouse on July 13. A man outside the courthouse gets emotional after the verdict was announced on July 13. A woman outside the courthouse reacts to the verdict on July 13. Demonstrators and members of the media gather outside of the courthouse on July 13. The jurors deliberated for more than 16 hours before delivering their verdict. Photos: Reaction to Zimmerman verdictPhotos: Reaction to Zimmerman verdictPhotos: Reaction to Zimmerman verdictPhotos: Reaction to Zimmerman verdictPhotos: Reaction to Zimmerman verdictReaction to Zimmerman verdictReaction to Zimmerman verdictReaction to Zimmerman verdictReaction to Zimmerman verdictReaction to Zimmerman verdictReaction to Zimmerman verdictReaction to Zimmerman verdictReaction to Zimmerman verdictReaction to Zimmerman verdictReaction to Zimmerman verdictReaction to Zimmerman verdictReaction to Zimmerman verdictReaction to Zimmerman verdictReaction to Zimmerman verdictReaction to Zimmerman verdictReaction to Zimmerman verdictReaction to Zimmerman verdictHIDE CAPTION<<< 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 >>> Photos: Reaction to Zimmerman verdict George Zimmerman found not guilty Martin's parents react to verdict "LAPD is hoping for the best and preparing for the worst," Smith said Sunday night. "We hope everyone can exercise their First Amendment right to free speech, then get tired and go home." Some demonstrators continued their efforts into Monday morning. At least nine people were arrested, Smith said. Across the country Thousands also rallied in San Francisco, Chicago, Denver, Baltimore, Detroit, New York and other cities. In New York, demonstrators marched across Manhattan and packed Times Square. "This is what democracy looks like," they chanted. In Florida, just steps away from the courthouse where a jury acquitted Zimmerman in the death of Trayvon Martin, demonstrators vowed that their fight wasn't over. "Nationwide protest to demand justice," protesters chanted in Sanford, Florida. The Rev. Jesse Jackson called for protests to continue, and to remain peaceful. "There will be protests, but they must be carried out with dignity and discipline," he told CNN's "New Day." "What will happen if there, in fact, are riots, it gives sympathy to Zimmerman, and discredits Trayvon. Trayvon deserves sympathy. Zimmerman and his school of thought does not." Racial undertones Many of the protests, including large gatherings in New York and Los Angeles, drew demonstrators from a wide variety of races. But many expressed the same belief -- that Martin's death was spurred by racial profiling, and that Zimmerman's acquittal leaves no one accountable. "Only white life is protected in America," one protester in Washington shouted Sunday. Others chanted "No justice, no peace" and "Trayvon was murdered" as they marched, freelance photographer Michael Kandel told CNN's iReport. The atmosphere was tense as demonstrators demanded that the government investigate further, Kandel said. "They believe that this is a civil rights issue that must become the topic of a national conversation in the coming days," he said. "They did not believe justice had been served." Zimmerman, his family and their supporters have denied allegations of racism and argued that civil rights groups are being incendiary without facts to back up their claims. Some demonstrators in Denver, Baltimore and Detroit wore hooded sweatshirts like the one Martin wore when he was killed. Pushing for peace President Barack Obama called for peace Sunday and acknowledged the Zimmerman case has stirred strong emotions. "I now ask every American to respect the call for calm reflection from two parents who lost their young son. And as we do, we should ask ourselves if we're doing all we can to widen the circle of compassion and understanding in our own communities," Obama said. "We should ask ourselves if we're doing all we can to stem the tide of gun violence that claims too many lives across this country on a daily basis," he said. Some applauded the jury for siding with the neighborhood watch volunteer's claims that he shot the teen in self-defense. Others said prosecutors failed to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt. Critics of the verdict like Terri Weems said the trial was a referendum on race that confirmed what they knew all along. "That's our society," Weems said as she headed into church in Washington on Sunday. "We expected not to be given justice. We haven't been dealt justice all this time. ... It's very disheartening." NAACP President Benjamin Jealous told CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday that the largely peaceful protests were a positive sign. "I think we should, frankly, right now be celebrating the fact that we've seen a generation of young people respond by using our system, raising their voices, but not using their fists," he said. 

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Five key issues for Zimmerman jury

George Zimmerman could spend the rest of his life in prison or walk away a free man after more than a year of being reviled as a murderer. During three weeks of testimony, state prosecutors called 38 people to the stand to paint Zimmerman as a spiteful, frustrated man who profiled and killed an unarmed teenager. Defense attorneys countered by calling 18 witnesses -- but not Zimmerman -- to explain that Zimmerman feared for his life and was being pummeled by Trayvon Martin. When the fatal gunshot was fired in the dark, nobody was close enough to see what happened -- other than Zimmerman and Trayvon. Throughout the trial, prosecutors tried to shine some light on that night and show jurors what they believe happened, but most experts think there were few concrete answers in the testimony. "They are making it a guessing game, and guessing games favor the defense," Jose Baez, a Florida criminal defense attorney, said of both sides. Baez successfully defended Casey Anthony, a Florida mother accused of killing her daughter in a high-profile murder case. Zimmerman, 29, has pleaded not guilty to a second-degree murder. He also faces a charge of manslaughter after some last-minute maneuvering by prosecutors. Second-degree murder in Florida carries a possible life sentence. If convicted of manslaughter, Zimmerman could get up to 30 years. Speculation that Zimmerman, who is Hispanic, profiled, followed and murdered the black teen sparked racial controversy and protests across the nation last year. Zimmerman says that race did not factor into his actions and that he acted in self-defense after Trayvon sucker-punched him and began beating him. Most legal experts interviewed by USA TODAY agree with Baez and say the prosecution largely failed at its attempt to prove Zimmerman committed second-degree murder. Several, however, added that jurors may still weigh heavily that Zimmerman followed and later shot a teen walking home carrying Skittles and iced tea. Which scenario becomes reality depends largely on five key issues before the jury deciding his fate. -- Whether Zimmerman acted in self-defense. Defense attorneys have maintained that Zimmerman was in fear for his life when he shot Trayvon Martin. Throughout the trial they painted Zimmerman as a hardworking, quiet, calm man who started a neighborhood watch group to help his community. "There's enormous evidence that my client acted in self-defense," Mark O'Mara, Zimmerman's attorney, said last week. "There is no other reasonable hypothesis." The night of the shooting, O'Mara said Zimmerman was being the eyes and ears of his community and called police when he saw someone suspicious. Soon after, he found himself fighting for his life because Trayvon overreacted and used the environment around him to beat Zimmerman, the lawyer said. "That is not an unarmed teenager," O'Mara said in his closing statement, explaining with an actual concrete slab that Trayvon used his fists and a sidewalk to threaten great bodily harm. According to Florida law, O'Mara said Zimmerman did not need to be greatly injured -- just threatened. Prosecutors worked hard to convince the jury that Zimmerman wasn't fighting for his life and was in fact shooting an unarmed teenager. In his rebuttal Friday, Assistant State Attorney John Guy put up a split screen of pictures: Trayvon's dead body on the grass and the bloody head of George Zimmerman after the shooting. "Who lost the fight?" Guy asked. He added that if Zimmerman is acquitted it will send a message that grown men can follow and kill children. -- Zimmerman's pursuit of Trayvon. While Zimmerman was on the phone with a police dispatcher, he began following Trayvon. Soon after, the dispatcher told Zimmerman it was not necessary for him to pursue the teen. The prosecution's most important witness may have been Rachel Jeantel, 19, a young woman who was on the phone with Trayvon moments before he died. Jeantel said Zimmerman stared at and then followed Trayvon, who tried several times to run away. Trayvon was out of breath, she said. "It was kind of strange that a person kept watching and following," she said. "It was like being stalked." Jurors, the judge and defense attorney Don West, however, had a hard time understanding Jeantel as she spoke. That may hurt her credibility, said Susan Constantine, a jury consultant and body language expert who was in court during Jeantel's testimony. "Jurors struggled and struggled and then they got to the point where they disengaged," Constantine said. In his closing statement Thursday, prosecutor Bernie de la Rionda urged jurors to treat her fairly and disregard her colorful language and presentation. "She should be judged not by the color of her personality but by the content of her testimony," de la Rionda said. Throughout the trial, O'Mara maintained Zimmerman stopped following Trayvon once police told him it was not necessary. The state, O'Mara told jurors, can't prove that Zimmerman did otherwise. "Don't make assumptions," O'Mara said. "If you don't know it, it hasn't been proven." -- Who initiated the confrontation? While it's clear there was some sort of confrontation, jurors will have to decide who caused that fight. In his closing statement, O'Mara showed jurors a computer animation of Trayvon walking up to Zimmerman and punching him. O'Mara added that Trayvon had time to go home, but instead likely hid, waited for Zimmerman and confronted him. He said the teen may have been charged with aggravated battery had he survived the shooting. "Trayvon Martin came towards George Zimmerman," O'Mara said. State attorneys are hoping the jury will believe Jeantel's version of what happened. Jeantel recalled Trayvon saying, "Why are you following me?" She continued, "Then I heard a hard-breathing man say, 'What are you doing around here?' " Jeantel then heard a bump and heard Trayvon saying, "Get off. Get off," she said. Seconds later, the phone disconnected, and when she called back, she got no answer. Three days later, Jeantel said, she learned Trayvon was dead. Prosecutors called several law enforcement officials and forensic experts who said Zimmerman was the aggressor. -- The person on top when the shooting occurred. Both sides admit there was a fight. Zimmerman says Trayvon was pummeling him when Zimmerman shot the teen. Eyewitness Jonathan Good said he saw Trayvon on top of and striking Zimmerman moments before the teen was shot. It was a statement he told police the night of the shooting and one he stuck with when addressing the jury. However, Selma Mora, who lived a couple of houses down from Good, said a person straddling another person told her to call police. Minutes later, the same person who was on top, whom she identified as Zimmerman, was on his feet after a gunshot, Mora said. -- The voice heard screaming on a 911 tape. A 911 call recorded screams and the fatal gunshot moments before the shooting. Who was screaming is a critical question before the jury. The defense called nine people -- including both of Zimmerman's parents -- to testify that the screams belonged to Zimmerman. Zimmerman's father, Robert Zimmerman, Sr., was the last to testify that the voice heard screaming on a 911 call was George Zimmerman. "It's my son," he said. The prosecution called both of Trayvon's parents, who said their son was screaming moments before he was shot. Tracy Martin, Trayvon's dad, testified he listened to the 911 call at least 20 times at the Sanford mayor's office. After that, he said, he was convinced the voice screaming was Trayvon's. "I was listening to my son's last cry for help," Tracy Martin said. "I was listening to his life being taken."

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Irish lawmakers back 'life saving' abortion bill

DUBLIN (AP) — Lawmakers have overwhelmingly voted to back Ireland's first bill on abortion, legalizing the practice in exceptional cases where doctors deem the woman's life at risk from her pregnancy. Exhausted legislators applauded Friday's 127-31 vote. It capped a marathon debate that locked lawmakers in argument until 5 a.m. Thursday and, after a pause for sleep, through midnight Friday. ALSO ONLINE: Irish lawmakers agonize over abortion vote While the outcome was expected given Prime Minister Enda Kenny's lopsided parliamentary majority, the debate revealed deep-seated fears that Ireland's first legislative step on abortion could put the predominantly Catholic country on a slippery slope to granting wider abortion rights in years to come. Divisions ran deepest on the bill's rule permitting an abortion for a suicidal woman if a three-doctor panel agrees she would try to kill herself if denied a termination. Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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