US charges 14 in terrorist scheme

US charges 14 in terrorist scheme

WASHINGTON

The government announced Thursday that it has charged 14 people as participants in “a deadly pipeline” to Somalia that routed money and fighters from the United States to the terrorist group al-Shabab.

The indictments unsealed in Minneapolis, San Diego and Mobile, Ala., reflect “a disturbing trend” of recruitment efforts targeting U.S. residents to become terrorists, Attorney General Eric Holder told a news conference.

Holder credited Muslim community leaders in the United States for regularly denouncing terrorists and for providing critical assistance to law enforcement to help disrupt terrorist plots and combat radicalization.

Senate OKs $600M for border security

WASHINGTON

The Senate agreed Thursday to add $600 million to the effort to stop the flow of illegal immigrants across the U.S.-Mexican border.

The money would be used for such purposes as adding 1,500 new enforcement agents and deploying unmanned aerial drones to improve border surveillance.

The voice vote to pass the emergency spending came in the final hours before the Senate leaves for its monthlong summer break.

Singer files to run for Haiti presidency

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti

Singer Wyclef Jean submitted the paperwork Thursday to run for president of Haiti, formally thrusting himself into what is expected to be a highly competitive race and ending years of speculation about his political ambitions.

Dozens of supporters of the hip-hop artist-turned- politician cheered as he arrived by motorcade in a dark suit and tie at an electoral office in a capital city still largely in ruins from the devastating Jan. 12 earthquake.

Obama economic adviser resigning

WASHINGTON

Christina Romer, one of President Barack Obama’s most-pivotal economic advisers, is quitting her position, a change that comes as the White House fights to show signs of clear economic gains to a hurting nation.

Romer, the head of the Council of Economic Advisers, announced her resignation Thursday. It takes effect Sept. 3.

Blast kills 2, wounds Philippine governor

ZAMBOANGA, Philippines

A Philippine governor who led a military campaign against Muslim militants said today he believed he was the target of a bombing at a southern airport that grazed him and killed two others, including one attacker.

About two dozen other people were wounded, one seriously, late Thursday when the blast ripped through the arrival gate as passengers — including Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan — were leaving the Zamboanga city airport.

Police said one of two assailants was carrying the explosives in his backpack, and they were investigating whether they went off prematurely or were triggered remotely. There is no history of suicide bombings in the Philippines, which has grappled with a decades-long Muslim insurgency in the country’s restive south.

Nuclear powers join Hiroshima tribute

HIROSHIMA, Japan

The site of the world’s worst atomic-bomb attack echoed with choirs of schoolchildren and the solemn ringing of bells today as Hiroshima marked its biggest memorial yet and the first to be attended by the U.S. and other major nuclear powers.

Washington’s decision to send U.S. Ambassador John Roos to the 65th anniversary of the bombing was seen by many as potentially paving the way for President Barack Obama to visit Hiroshima — which would be unprecedented for a sitting U.S. leader.

Associated Press