Nation, world briefs 1/6/16

Emergency declared over water problems

DETROIT -- Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder declared a state of emergency in Flint over problems with lead in the city's drinking water, the same day federal officials confirmed they're investigating the matter that prompted a local public-health emergency. Snyder's action Tuesday follows emergency declarations declared by the city and Genesee County, which requested help from the state. U.S. Attorney's spokeswoman Gina Balaya said in an email the federal investigation is "an effort to address the concerns of Flint residents," but she couldn't say whether it is a criminal or civil investigation. The city switched from Detroit's water system to Flint River water in a cost-cutting move in 2014 while under state financial management. Residents complained about the water's taste, smell and appearance, and children were found to have elevated levels of lead because of the water supply.

IS lost 30 percent of its territory

BAGHDAD -- The U.S.-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group said the militants have lost 30 percent of the territory they once held in Iraq and Syria. Baghdad-based spokesman Col. Steve Warren said Tuesday the extremists have lost 40 percent of their territory in Iraq and 20 percent in Syria, saying they are in a "defensive crouch." The U.S.-led coalition has been launching airstrikes since 2014 in support of Iraqi forces and Kurdish fighters. Last month, Iraqi forces backed by U.S.-led airstrikes pushed IS out of the city center of Ramadi, a provincial capital west of Baghdad that fell to the extremists last May. IS holds much of northern and western Iraq and large parts of Syria.

Cop won't testify against colleague

BALTIMORE -- One of six Baltimore police officers charged in the death of Freddie Gray is asking a judge to quash a subpoena for his testimony in the upcoming trial of a fellow officer. William Porter's attorneys filed the motion Monday saying he plans to invoke his Fifth Amendment protections against self-incrimination and decline to testify in the trials of Caesar Goodson and Sgt. Alicia White. Porter was the first of the officers to be tried last month. Jurors could not reach a verdict, however, and a judge declared a mistrial. Porter's retrial has been scheduled for June 13. Gray died in April from injuries prosecutors said he received while riding in a police van after his arrest.

Man who held 12 in motel stabs himself

DECATUR, Ga. -- A man armed with a knife held 11 children and his girlfriend inside a motel room for five hours before stabbing himself in the neck Tuesday morning, ending a standoff with police, authorities said. No one else was injured. Authorities had surrounded the motel and tried to negotiate with Korrie Thomas, 36, before a SWAT team stormed the room and found him critically injured, police said. DeKalb County District Attorney Robert James said Thomas should have reported to prison to begin a 15-year sentence in November, after he pleaded guilty last year to armed robbery and aggravated assault. A judge sentenced Thomas to nine years behind bars followed by probation.

-- From wire reports