Obama, Netanyahu dismiss talk of rift

Obama, Netanyahu dismiss talk of rift

WASHINGTON

Eager to show unity to the world, President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday dismissed talk of a rift as wildly unfounded, and Netanyahu pledged concrete, “very robust” steps to revive sluggish Mideast peace efforts with the Palestinians.

In a warm, yet carefully choreographed White House embrace, the two leaders took pains to convince allies and enemies alike that a deeply important relationship is doing just fine.

The meeting came five weeks after Israel’s deadly raid on a flotilla that was trying to break the Israeli blockade of the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.

Manson follower again denied parole

LOS ANGELES

Leslie Van Houten, the one-time Charles Manson follower long seen as the most likely of his ex-acolytes to win freedom someday, was denied parole Tuesday for a 19th time in the killings of Leno and Rosemary La Bianca.

At the conclusion of the emotional three-hour hearing, the chairman of the parole board, Robert Doyle, said Van Houten was not yet suitable for parole because she had failed to gain complete insight into her crime and its motivation.

US soldier linked to attack video charged

BAGHDAD

An American soldier suspected of leaking a military video of an attack on unarmed men in Iraq was charged with multiple counts of mishandling and leaking classified data and putting national security at risk, the U.S. Army said in a statement Tuesday.

Army Spc. Bradley Manning is suspected of leaking a classified video that shows a group of men walking down the street before being repeatedly shot by the Apache helicopters. The American gunners can be heard laughing and referring to the men as “dead bastards.”

If convicted on all charges, Manning could be sentenced to a maximum 52 years in prison.

US sues Ariz. over immigration law

PHOENIX

The Obama administration sued Arizona on Tuesday to throw out the state’s toughest-in-the-nation immigration law and keep other states from copying it.

The lawsuit filed in federal court in Phoenix said the law, due to take effect July 29, usurps the federal government’s “pre-eminent authority” under the Constitution to regulate immigration.

Hawaii governor vetoes gay unions

HONOLULU

Hawaii’s governor on Tuesday vetoed legislation that would have permitted same-sex civil unions, ending months of speculation on how she would weigh in on the contentious, emotional debate.

Republican Gov. Linda Lingle’s action came on the final day she had to either sign or veto the bill.

Bull-running fest begins in Spain

PAMPLONA, Spain

Spain shrugged off its economic woes Tuesday with tens of thousands of Spaniards and foreigners jamming a historic city plaza and spraying one another with wine as a firecracker rocket blasted off to launch the famed San Fermin bull-running festival.

The nine-day street drinking party got under way at midday. Today, daredevils will race just ahead of huge bulls running along Pamplona’s cobblestoned streets, and gorings are virtually assured.

Associated Press