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Six U.S. counties become majority minority

WASHINGTON, May 14 (UPI) -- Six U.S. counties became majority-minority from 2007 to 2008, meaning half their populations were other than single race, the U.S. Census Bureau said.

The counties are Orange County, Fla.; Stanislaus County, Calif.; Finney County, Kan.; Warren County, Miss.; Edwards County, Texas; and Schleicher County, Texas. The Census Bureau said nearly 10 percent of the nation's 3,142 counties were majority-minority as of July 1.

"These estimates paint a detailed portrait of our nation at the national, state and county levels ahead of next year's 2010 Census," Thomas Mesenbourg, acting director of the Census Bureau, said.

Federal officials noted that Starr County, Texas, had the highest percentage minority population, at 98 percent, followed by two other Texas counties -- Maverick County at 97 percent and Webb County at 95 percent.

In 2008, four states were majority-minority -- Hawaii, at 75 percent; New Mexico, at 58 percent; California, at 58 percent; and Texas, at 53 percent. The District of Columbia was 67 percent minority.

The nation's oldest county was La Paz County, Ariz., where 34 percent of residents were 65 or older in 2008.

Deadly tornadoes move through Missouri

KIRKSVILLE, Mo., May 14 (UPI) -- Tornadoes ripped through Missouri and Oklahoma, killing at least two people and wrecking homes, property and businesses, officials said.

Accounts differed Thursday in the number of deaths in Kirksville, Mo., where officials confirmed four tornadoes touched down. The Kirksville Daily Press reported two deaths. CNN reported three.

The tornadoes destroyed an automobile dealership and several residences, officials in the northern Missouri city said. Adair County Sheriff Robert Hardwick said widespread damage was reported.

"From what I understand, there are a number of structures damaged, phone lines down, electrical wires down, cars that have been damaged," Kirksville Police Chief Jim Hughes said. "So at this point in time, we're really at the damage-assessment phase."

In Oklahoma, a tornado touched down near Nardin Wednesday, the Oklahoman reported. Emergency services personnel reported no injuries or property damage.

Earlier Wednesday, damaging winds whipped through the Oklahoma City metro area, damaging or destroying dozens of tents at a new farmer's market, officials said. The roof of an apartment complex was damaged and a power pole toppled onto a car.

The storm system that spawned the deadly weather in Missouri was expected to spread showers and thunderstorms into the Northeast Thursday, AccuWeather.com reported. Tornadoes weren't expected but strong winds were a possibility, forecasters said.

N. Korea sets trial for two U.S. reporters

PYONGYANG, North Korea, May 14 (UPI) -- Two U.S. journalists accused of entering North Korea illegally are scheduled to be tried in June, North Korean media reported Thursday.

The journalists -- Korean-American Euna Lee and Chinese-American Laura Ling, both reporters for Current TV -- were arrested by North Korean guards near the Chinese border March 17.

"The Central Court of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea decided to try (the) American journalists on June 4 according to the indictment ...," the Korean Central News Agency said.

Analysts said North Korea may be trying to emulate Iran, where an Iranian-American free-lance journalist was held, tried then released amid diplomatic contacts between Iran and the United States, South Korean news agency Yonhap reported.

Officials in Pyongyang said the journalists were arrested and being investigated for entering the country illegally and for committing unspecified "hostile acts."

Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, told Yonhap North Korea's behavior was similar to Iran's handling of the Iranian-American journalist.

"Chances are Washington and Pyongyang will have contacts before and after the trial," Yang said. "North Korea, in the middle of a coercive strategy, cannot just turn around and ask for dialogue. It needs some sort of mediating event to make a turnaround, which could be these journalists' case."

Taliban say Pakistani officials must quit

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, May 14 (UPI) -- The Taliban warned they will arrest the families of Pakistani officials in the troubled northwest region if the officials do not resign.

Speaking to CNN by telephone Wednesday, Taliban spokesman Muslim Khan set a three-day deadline for the resignation of all national and provincial parliament members from the Malakand Division, which includes the violence-hit Swat Valley.

The ultimatum came as the Pakistani military reported continuing its campaign against the militants in the valley, CNN said.

If the officials don't resign, Khan told CNN "we will arrest all their families and we will destroy all their buildings."

Khan also said all Pakistani Islamist political parties must help the Taliban.

"They must give a press conference to show the people that we need Shariah (Islamic law) in the Malakand Division," Khan was quoted as saying.

Khan did not agree with the claims of many refugees from the Swat Valley that the militants had been unleashing violencen including kidnappings and beheadings, in the region for two years, the report said.

"We are killing the people which are only no good for society, like thieves and people who are making problem for the poor people, like people who are working for army," he said.

Obama speaks to Ariz. State graduates

TEMPE, Ariz., May 14 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama told graduating students at Arizona State University that although this is a challenging time for the nation they should persevere.

Speaking at the school's Sun Devil Stadium Wednesday, Obama said the nation's economic woes will be overcome by their innovation.

"I know starting your careers in troubled times is a challenge. But it is also a privilege," Obama said in prepared remarks. "Because it is moments like these that force us to try harder, to dig deeper, to discover gifts we never knew we had -- to find the greatness that lies within each of us."

The university decided against conferring an honorary degree on Obama during the ceremony.