THE NATION IN BRIEF

8/25/2010
BLADE NEWS SERVICES

NEWARK, N.J. — Amtrak and regional transit agencies halted trains throughout the Northeast for more than an hour at the height of the morning rush Tuesday because of power problems that apparently began in the Washington area.

Amtrak said low-voltage troubles forced it to suspend service between New York City and Washington, and between Philadelphia and Harrisburg, Pa., starting at 7:45 a.m. Power was restored around 9 a.m.

The cause wasn't known.

ATLANTA — The extradition of a suspect in a spate of serial stabbings that left five people dead is expected to cost Genessee County, Michigan, $2,000 to $10,000.

Authorities in Michigan were jubilant when Atlanta police arrested the stabbing suspect, Elias Abuelazam, but they weren't so thrilled about picking up the tab to get him back.

Abuelazam, who is suspected in a string of 18 attacks in Michigan, Ohio, and Virginia, is expected to be extradited this week after his Aug. 11 arrest at Atlanta's airport.

MIAMI — Danielle has weakened to a tropical storm far from land over the Atlantic, but forecasters say it could become a hurricane again.

It reached Category 2 strength early yesterday but gradually lost punch throughout the day. Its maximum sustained winds were near 70 mph.

LEBEC, Calif. — Fire roared through 1,100 acres of mountain wilderness northwest of Los Angeles Tuesday, leading to evacuations as flames threatened dozens of rural homes, authorities said.

The total number of people affected was not clear. Displaced residents were being sent to a school.