World/nation briefs

Last update: November 10, 2009 - 12:04 AM

BELTWAY SNIPER TO BE EXECUTED TODAY

The Supreme Court denied John Allen Muhammad's request to stay his execution, clearing the way for Virginia to put to death the man who terrorized the Washington region as the Beltway Sniper in 2002. Justices John Paul Stevens, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor objected to the court's haste. Muhammad is to die by injection tonight for the slaying of Dean Harold Meyers during the three-week spree.

KOREAN PENINSULA

Naval ships exchange fire in border clash

The two Koreas briefly exchanged naval fire today along their disputed western sea border, with a North Korean ship suffering heavy damage before retreating, South Korean military officials said. There were no reports of casualties in the clash, which occurred after the North Korean vessel crossed into southern waters.

LEBANON

Cabinet is named after monthslong wrangle

Prime Minister Saad Hariri announced a 30-member Cabinet that includes the militant group Hezbollah and its allies, ending a political deadlock that left the deeply divided nation without a government for more than four months. Hariri's Western-backed bloc got 15 seats, Hezbollah and its allies got 10 and five were chosen by Lebanon's president.

SOMALIA

Pirates hit oil tanker in long-range attack

Somali pirates firing automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades attacked an oil tanker farther out to sea than any previous assault, suggesting that pirate capabilities are growing. The captain of the Hong Kong-flagged BW Lion, which was about 1,000 miles east of the Somali coast, took evasive maneuvers, avoiding the attack.

WASHINGTON, D.C.

Strollers recalled for amputation hazard

About a million Maclaren strollers sold by Target and Babies "R" Us are being recalled after 12 reports of children having their fingertips amputated by a hinge mechanism. The Consumer Product Safety Commission says the recall includes nine models of Chinese-made single and double umbrella Maclaren strollers, which have been sold around the country since 1999. The company is offering free repair kits. Details are available at www.cpsc.gov.

Obama to send envoy to North Korea

President Obama has agreed to send a senior U.S. diplomat to North Korea for the first direct talks with the government there in more than a year, hoping the mission will lead to the renewal of multi-nation negotiations designed to end its nuclear program. A date has not been set for the visit by Stephen Bosworth, but officials say it probably will occur before year's end.

MARYLAND

Corruption trial begins for mayor

Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon, a Democrat, went on trial on corruption charges, the result of a state inquiry started in 2006. The case involves seven counts of theft and embezzlement stemming from accusations that Dixon used $1,500 worth of gift cards intended for needy families while she was City Council president and mayor.

NEWS SERVICES

Recent Nation stories

5 Long Beach high school students arrested in alleged groping of 9th-grade girls on campus - November 10, 2009

5 Long Beach high school students arrested in alleged groping of 9th-grade girls on campus - Authorities say five male students have been arrested on suspicion of sexual battery after two ninth-grade girls were attacked at a Long Beach high school. More