Midday Roundup: Turkish police foil New Year's terror attack

Terror plot. A Turkish prosecutor says police in Ankara detained two suspected Islamic State (ISIS) terrorists who planned suicide attacks during New Year’s celebrations in the city. Police raided a house in the low-income Mamak neighborhood of Ankara earlier today, capturing two men while seizing a suicide vest armed with a bomb, an explosive device that was fortified with ball bearings, metal sticks that been placed inside a backpack, and bomb-making equipment. The prosecutor’s office said the two Turkish nationals had staked out possible locations in central Ankara, including bars and a shopping mall. A police statement said the first suspect had illegally crossed into “war zones” to join ISIS, while the private NTV news channel, quoting security sources, said the two had “frequently” moved in and out of Syria and that security officials had been monitoring their movements for the past month.

Cosby charged. Prosecutors in Norristown, Pa., charged Bill Cosby today with drugging and sexually assaulting former Temple University employee Andrea Constand at his home 12 years ago. It’s the first criminal case brought against the comedian and actor after multiple allegations of sexual abuse. Cosby acknowledged under oath a decade ago that he had sexual contact with Constand but said it was consensual. The decision by prosecutors come just days before Pennsylvania’s 12-year statute of limitations for bringing charges was set to run out. Cosby awaits arraignment this afternoon on a charge of aggravated indecent assault, which is punishable by five to 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.

“Provocative” rockets. The United States accused Iran today of launching a rocket test near its warships and commercial shipping traffic passing through the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday. Military vessels taking part in the war against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria pass through the narrow waterway between Iran and Oman. On Saturday, the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier, the USS Bulkeley destroyer and a French frigate, the FS Provence, were passing through it, said Cmdr. Kyle Raines, a U.S. Central Command spokesman. As they passed, Iranian Revolutionary Guard vessels, hailing other ships in the strait over maritime radio, announced they’d be carrying out a live fire exercise, according to Raines. After 23 minutes, the Iranian boats fired “several unguided rockets” about 1,500 yards from the warships and commercial traffic, he said. While the rockets weren’t fired in the direction of any ships, Raines said Iran’s “actions were highly provocative.”

Flood danger. Federal officials continue to monitor 19 vulnerable levees along the Mississippi River in Missouri and Illinois. At least 20 deaths were blamed on the flooding, mostly involving vehicles that drove into flooded roadways. Two people remain missing today.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.