ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- An ammunition cache explosion in a northern Pakistani valley killed at least 40 people, including 30 Pakistani security personnel.The explosion, which came one day after Pakistan increased the number of troops in the area to improve security, took place in a truck of the Frontier Core, a paramilitary organization operated by the Pakistani government, KUNA, the Kuwait News Agency, reported Thursday.Some police sources said the explosion may have been triggered by a ... [full story]

JERUSALEM -- A former Muslim official in Jerusalem claimed the city's famous Temple Mount never housed a Jewish temple and the Western Wall was once part of a mosque.Ikrema Sabri, the former mufti of Jerusalem, said Jews are incorrect in believing the Western Wall, long revered as a Jewish holy site, was once part of the ancient Second Temple, The Jerusalem Post reported Thursday."The wall is not part of the Jewish temple. It is just ... [full story]

Two men were arrested Tuesday afternoon following a raid on their southwest Bend home where drug agents allegedly found a sophisticated marijuana-growing operation and seized over 140 plants with a potential street value in excess of $200,000.   Casey James Connell (left); Reed Richard Last (right) - DCJ photos    Drug agents raided the residence on Zuni Road in southwest Bend and discovered a sophisticated marijuana growing operation (above & below) - CODE photos   According to a news release ... [full story]

Deputies believe that failing attempts to save their home following the receipt of a mortgage foreclosure notice may have led to the suicide of an elderly Prineville couple, discovered dead yesterday afternoon from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning. Crook County Sheriff’s deputies responded to 4800 NE Mill Creek Road about 1 p.m. in response to a welfare check request made by neighbors when the couple failed to answer the door and several of their dogs hadn’t been ... [full story]

CORVALLIS, Ore. – The catastrophic fires that are sweeping Southern California are consistent with what climate change models have been predicting for years, experts say, and they may be just a prelude to many more such events in the future – as vegetation grows heavier than usual and then ignites during prolonged drought periods. “This is exactly what we’ve been projecting to happen, both in short-term fire forecasts for this year and the longer term patterns ... [full story]

SALEM, Ore.  – State Schools Superintendent Susan Castillo announced Wednesday that thirteen Oregon public schools have been placed on a “watch list,” under the school safety provisions of the federal No Child Left Behind Act. Because these schools exceeded the minimum rate of expulsions due to violence, they have been identified as needing school safety improvement plans and must file a corrective action plan with the state. Third year: Salem-Keizer SD 24J - McKay High ... [full story]

Can anything be done to reverse the trend of a declining Oregon strawberry industry? Attendees of a one-day strawberry summit next week hope the answer is yes and will try to identify strategies to revitalize what was once a major Oregon agricultural commodity."The strawberry is an icon of Oregon agriculture," says Gary Roth, administrator of the Oregon Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Development and Marketing Division. "There are more than 220 commodities produced in this state. ... [full story]

SALEM, Ore.  - Governor Kulongoski and British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell on Wednesday signed a “Memorandum of Understanding” to establish partnership between the two governments to work together for climate and ocean protections. As part of the memorandum, Oregon and British Columbia agree that joint action is needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and that many of these actions can have significant economic and environmental benefits for British Columbia and Oregon. “We have both a moral and ... [full story]

PORTLAND, Ore. — Speaker Jeff Merkley strongly criticized Senator Gordon Smith’s vote today to confirm President Bush’s nomination of Judge Leslie Southwick to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.  Southwick has a very troubling history on the Mississippi Court of Appeals, routinely deciding against plaintiffs in cases involving racial discrimination, injured workers, and consumers. “It isn’t surprising that Gordon Smith gave the thumbs-up to another one of Bush’s judicial nominees,” Merkley said.  “Southwick has built ... [full story]

JERUSALEM -- Israel plans to cut power to the Gaza Strip for two hours a day in response to rocket attacks on Israel from Gaza, officials said Wednesday.Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai told Israeli Army Radio the supply of gasoline to Gaza also will be "reduced slightly" to remind residents there are consequences for the rocket fire, IsraelNN.com reported.On Tuesday, 22 rockets and 12 mortar shells were fired into Israel's western Negev region from the ... [full story]