World/nation briefs
Militants attack across Egyptian border An attack by militants along the border with Egypt killed an Israeli construction worker, deepening anxiety over growing lawlessness in the Sinai Peninsula. Israel briefly deployed a tank while the attack was underway, possibly violating the terms of the Israel-Egypt peace treaty. The Israeli military said a terrorist squad had crossed into Israel from Egyptian territory and ambushed two cars carrying civilians employed in the construction of a security fence.
PAKISTAN
Taliban blocks polio vaccinations A Pakistani Taliban commander has banned polio vaccinations in North Waziristan in the tribal belt, days before 161,000 children were due to be vaccinated. Hafiz Gul Bahadur linked the ban to U.S. drone strikes and fears that the CIA could use the polio campaign as cover for espionage, much as it did with Shakil Afridi, the Pakistani doctor who helped track Osama bin Laden.
SAUDI ARABIA
Defense minister is new heir to throne Saudi Arabia's Prince Salman bin Abdul-Aziz, who was governor of Riyadh for nearly 50 years until his recent promotion to defense minister, was named crown prince, making him the heir apparent to 88-year-old King Abdullah. The promotion of Prince Salman, 76, announced on Saudi state TV, had been expected following the sudden death Saturday of Crown Prince Nayef bin Albdul-Aziz. He will keep his job as defense minister.
YEMEN
Assassin kills general fighting Al-Qaida Gen. Salem Ali al-Quton, the commander of Yemen's southern military district, was assassinated, underscoring the continued threat of militants despite the army's recent gains against Al-Qaida-linked fighters in the country's restive south. Yemeni state media reported that Al-Quton's convoy was traveling through the southern port of Aden on the way to his office when a Somali man wearing a suicide belt threw himself onto the general's vehicle. Al-Quton, his driver and a guard were killed, and five bystanders were wounded.
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Sen. Rubio dropping immigration proposal In the latest aftershock from President Obama's move to bar the deportation of some young illegal immigrants, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., has apparently abandoned his plan to offer a conservative alternative to the DREAM Act. Rubio, a Cuban-American often mentioned as a potential running mate for Mitt Romney, said Obama's announcement Friday had probably killed his own effort, at least until after the November election. Rubio told the Wall Street Journal it would be hard to argue with colleagues who ask: "Why are we going to need to do anything on this now? It has been dealt with. We can wait until after the election."
House offers regrets to Chinese-Americans One hundred and thirty years after passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act, the House expressed its regret for enacting discriminatory laws targeting Chinese immigrants. The rare apology came on a resolution sponsored by Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif., the first Chinese-American woman elected to Congress. Her grandfather had been forced to register and carry a certificate of residency for about 40 years because of the laws.
COLORADO
Wildfire consumes at least 189 homes Firefighters toiled in hot, dry conditions to battle a wildfire that has charred nearly 92 square miles in northern Colorado. Authorities said they determined eight more houses had burned in the blaze near Fort Collins, bringing the total destroyed to 189, the most in state history. Other wildfires were burning in warm, arid weather from Wyoming to Arizona to Southern California, including a 907-acre fire in San Diego County that threatens hundreds of structures.
NEWS SERVICES
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His political views differed from a transgender classmate’s, but they forged a bond that lasted a decade — until Vance seemed to pivot, politically and personally.