Florida
Space shuttle's launch is delayed
CAPE CANAVERAL - NASA mission managers have delayed space shuttle Discovery's launch to the International Space Station by at least a day because of an electrical glitch in a backup computer circuit in one of the orbiter's main engines.
NASA's Mission Management Team met late Tuesday to discuss the problem and possible solutions and decided to take an extra day to examine what might be causing the problem. Sources said the drop in voltage in the backup computer when the system was tested Tuesday morning was very small and within engineering specifications.
But it was unexpected, prompting extensive troubleshooting.
California
SF supervisors OK curbs on Happy Meals
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SAN FRANCISCO - For some veggies-hating children, Happy Meals won't be so happy anymore.
San Francisco's Board of Supervisors voted 8-3 on Tuesday to approve an ordinance that would limit toy giveaways in fast-food children's meals that have excessive calories, sodium and fat. It also requires servings of fruits or vegetables with each meal.
If it survives an expected veto from Mayor Gavin Newsom, San Francisco would become the first major city in the country to pass such a law aimed at curbing childhood obesity. It would go into effect December 2011 if supervisors again approve it after Newsom's veto.
A similar ordinance has been approved in California's Santa Clara County, where it affected about a dozen restaurants.
McDonald's Corp. representatives, who say the law would take the joy out of the Happy Meal, derided the vote outside of lawmakers' chambers at City Hall.
3 accused of aiding Somali terror group
SAN DIEGO - Three city residents have been indicted on charges of conspiring to provide money to a terrorist group in Somalia that uses murder, beheadings and bombings, the U.S. Attorney's Office said Tuesday.
The three are charged with aiding Al Shabab, listed by the State Department as a group pledged to use terror and intimidation to undermine Somalia's weak transitional government.
In custody are Basaaly Saeed Moalin, 33; Mohamed Mohamed Mohamud, 38; and Issa Doreh, 54.
Schwarzenegger's son co-host of wild party
LOS ANGELES - Police say Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's 17-year-old son was co-host of a rowdy alcohol-fueled Halloween party where officers cited several people for underage drinking.
Patrick Schwarzenegger was identified as a co-host of the Sunset Boulevard party held in a private home Saturday night.
ohio
Arson destroys special playground
SOUTH EUCLID - Investigators say someone intentionally set a fire that destroyed an Ohio playground for children with special needs.
Community volunteers and businesses in the Cleveland suburb of South Euclid created the Playground of Possibilities two years ago at a cost of $250,000. Neighbors reported they first noticed flames shooting from the playground equipment and rubberized playing surface shortly after 7 p.m. Monday.
Police are offering a $5,000 reward for the arrest of the person who set the fire.
Wire reports
