751 RESCUED FROM BOATS THIS YEAR ON ONE ROUTE

Maritime rescue authorities say 751 migrants have been plucked safely from 52 boats trying to reach Spanish shores from northern Africa, this year’s most popular route into Europe.

Spain’s Maritime Rescue Service says 709 migrants were traveling in 48 boats across the Strait of Gibraltar, the shortest route and 11 were found crossing the so-called Alboran Sea farther east. Three boats were approaching the eastern Spanish coast of Alicante with a total of 31 people on board.

Judge: Opioid distribution data not for public.

federal judge has ruled that state and local governments cannot publicize federal government data about where prescription opioids were distributed, a blow to news organizations seeking to report more deeply on the nation’s overdose and addiction crisis.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency is providing the information to state and local governments to use in their lawsuits against companies that make, distribute and sell the drugs. Sharing the data even with them came with a long list of conditions, including that it could be used only for law enforcement and litigation.

Judge blocks plan to withhold funds from “sanctuary cities.”

CHICAGO» For the second time, a federal judge in Chicago rejected a U.S. Justice Department plan to withhold law enforcement grants from so-called sanctuary cities and said his ruling applied nationwide.

The city of Chicago sued the Justice Department, arguing that it’s policies of policing and cooperating with immigrant communities must be upheld. Chicago doesn’t cooperate with immigration authorities about the status of a suspect unless they are a known gang members or violent felons.

New Zealand law gives domestic violence victims paid leave.

A new law will grant victims of domestic violence 10 paid leave days. Advocates of the measure say it will give victims time to leave their partners, find new homes and keep their children safe. Companies are also expected to provide flexible work schedules and other support when the women return. Victims won’t be required to provide proof of their circumstances.

Cairo zoo denies painting a donkey.

This week, Mahmoud Sarhan, a student visiting Cairo’s International Garden, posted a photo of himself posing with what does indeed appear to be a donkey painted like a zebra. There are even smudges on the animal’s face where the paint may have dripped a bit in Egypt’s summer heat.

In response to an inquiry from the Egyptian radio station Nogoum FM, the zoo insisted that the animal is not a painted donkey, the BBC reported.