U.S. proposes protection for the wolverine

Protection for wolverine sought

The federal Fish and Wildlife Service proposed Friday to give Endangered Species Act protections to the wolverine, one of the largest and hardiest members of the weasel family, largely because climate change is whittling away its wintry habitat in the northern Rockies. The action was prompted by a lawsuit brought by the Center for Biological Diversity, based in Arizona, and Defenders of Wildlife, whose efforts to get protections for the species were rebuffed during the administration of President George W. Bush.

Four arrested over nudity ban

Four protesters were arrested entirely in the buff as they took to the steps of San Francisco City Hall in a challenge of the city's ban on public nudity on Friday, the first day it went into effect. One woman and three men were taken into custody. In December, the Board of Supervisors voted 7-4 in favor of the ban.

DJs not charged for royal hoax

Two Australian disc jockeys who called a London hospital impersonating members of the royal family three days before a nurse's suicide will not face any charges, British prosecutors said Friday. Prosecutors said there were no grounds for charges of manslaughter against Mel Greig and Michael Christian in the death of nurse Jacintha Saldanha, who was found hanged Dec. 7.

Ex-White House dog Barney dies

Former first dog Barney Bush — a black Scottish terrier known for chasing golf balls and taking America on video tours of the White House — has died after suffering from lymphoma. He was 12. Former President George W. Bush announced on Friday the passing of the "little fellow," saying in a news release that "after 121/2 years of life, his body could not fight off the illness."

Times wires