Assassination in Pakistan exposes Taliban rifts

Assassination in Pakistan exposes Taliban rifts

PESHAWAR, Pakistan — The assassination of the leader of a renegade Pakistani Taliban faction by one of his own men Tuesday underscores a growing rift in the ranks of the militant group as it braces for an impending army assault in the volatile northwest.

Qari Zainuddin’s killing sets back government hopes of exploiting these internal divisions in the South Waziristan tribal region, where the army has been pounding strongholds of Pakistani Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud in apparent preparation for a major, U.S.-backed offensive.

Suspected U.S. missiles also hammered the same areas Tuesday, striking a purported Taliban training center and later a funeral procession for some of those killed in the first missile attack. Up to 40 people died

Obama: Cut college aid form

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration plans to simplify the federal college aid form, which at 153 questions drives many families to give up before they finish it.

President Barack Obama wants to make the form much more user-friendly as part of a sweeping plan to put higher education within reach of more students.

Education Secretary Arne Duncan, who planned to announce the changes today at the White House, said the goal is to boost college enrollment among low- and middle-income students.

Minn. teen says he’s mad about continuing chemo

NEW ULM, Minn. — A 13-year-old boy with cancer who fled Minnesota last month to avoid chemotherapy says he’s angry that a judge has ruled he must continue getting the treatment.

Daniel Hauser told The Associated Press he had hoped he would instead be able to stop chemotherapy, which he says makes him dizzy and gives him headaches.

A judge had ruled Tuesday that the teen must continue chemotherapy after court documents showed Daniel’s tumor had shrunk significantly after a recent round.

N. Korean cargo ship may test new U.N. sanctions

SEOUL, South Korea — An American destroyer tailed a North Korean ship Tuesday as it sailed along China’s coast, U.S. officials said, amid concerns the vessel is carrying illicit arms destined for Myanmar.

The sailing sets up the first test of a new U.N. Security Council resolution that authorizes member states to inspect North Korean vessels suspected of carrying banned weapons or materials. The sanctions are punishment for an underground nuclear test the North carried out last month in defiance of past resolutions.

S.C. governor to return

COLUMBIA, S.C. — After a political mystery — “Where in the World is South Carolina’s Governor?” — Mark Sanford’s aides said he was stunned by all the fuss over his five-day absence and would cut short a secretive hike along the Appalachian Trail.

State officials and even his wife said they had no idea where he went over Father’s Day weekend, and not everyone is buying his explanation. His disappearance has left some wondering: Is this any way for a governor to act?

Sanford’s spokesman said the governor was hiking to clear his head after the legislative session, during which he lost a key battle.

But critics of the two-term Republican wondered why it took nine hours after reporters started asking questions for the governor’s staff to say what the state’s chief executive was doing. Sanford was expected back in his office today.

U.S., Kyrgyzstan reach deal on use of air base

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan — The former Soviet republic of Kyrgyzstan tentatively approved a deal on Tuesday that should allow the U.S. to continue shipping military hardware and troops crucial to operations in Afghanistan through an air base in the Central Asian state.

U.S. forces had in February been ordered out of the Manas air base by a presidential decree that stunned Washington and drew suspicion that Kyrgyzstan was acting under the influence of Russia, which staunchly opposes Western military presence near its borders. But the deal approved Tuesday apparently would allow the American base to remain open.

Cheney to write memoir

NEW YORK — Former Vice President Dick Cheney has signed a book deal with a conservative imprint of Simon & Schuster.

The memoir by Cheney, widely considered the most powerful vice president in history, is expected to be published in 2011, a few months after President George W. Bush’s book comes out.

Associated Press