U.S. & WORLD NEWS | Libya, Iran free foreign journalists

Libya, Iran free foreign journalists

TRIPOLI, Libya

The Libyan government released four foreign journalists Wednesday, and a fifth reached freedom in Qatar after disappearing while on assignment in Syria, the latest reporters to be freed after being swept up while covering unrest in the Middle East.

Americans Clare Morgana Gillis and James Foley, along with British freelance reporter Nigel Chandler and Spanish photographer Manuel Varela, appeared at a Tripoli hotel after being released from six weeks detention in Libya.

Earlier, Iranian-born Dorothy Parvaz, who also has U.S. and Canadian citizenship and works for Al-Jazeera television, arrived at her network’s home base in Doha after being freed by Iran. All five were reported in good health.

Giffords has surgery to repair her skull

HOUSTON

Doctors used a hard plastic implant to repair a hole in Rep. Gabrielle Giffords’ skull Wednesday, the latest milestone in her recovery from an assassination attempt and a procedure that experts say will improve her quality of life.

A gunman shot her in the head more than four months ago in Tucson, Ariz., and doctors had to remove a portion of her skull to relieve pressure on her brain.

On Wednesday, doctors installed the piece of plastic across the hole, according to a statement from TIRR Memorial Hermann hospital. The hospital planned a briefing today to give an update on her medical condition and discuss the next steps in her rehabilitation.

Queen expresses ‘sympathy’ in Dublin

DUBLIN

Queen Elizabeth II made a powerful statement Wednesday night, expressing “deep sympathy” to all who had suffered as a result of the troubled relations between England and Ireland.

She did not apologize for any British actions during the bitter conflicts between the two neighbors but said it is clear mistakes were made.

“To all those who have suffered as a consequence of our troubled past I extend my sincere thoughts and deep sympathy,” she said at a state dinner hosted by Irish President Mary McAleese.

The queen, whose visit has been highlighted by memorable scenes of friendship and forgiveness, also said no one in past centuries could have imagined the bonds of friendship that now unite England and Ireland.

Circumcision ban to be on SF ballot

SAN FRANCISCO

A proposal to ban the circumcision of male children in San Francisco has been cleared to appear on the November ballot, setting the stage for the nation’s first public vote on what long has been considered a private family matter.

But even in a city with a long-held reputation for pushing boundaries, the measure is drawing heavy fire. Opponents are lining up against it, saying a ban on a religious rite considered sacred by Jews and Muslims is a blatant violation of constitutional rights.

Police kill moose after it attacks girl

ANCHORAGE, Alaska

A moose attacked a girl on a bicycle Wednesday, and Anchorage police say the animal had given birth to twins a day earlier.

Police killed the moose after the attack.

The child who fell from her bike suffered injuries to her head, but they are not considered life-threatening. She’s been hospitalized.

Police say the same moose chased a jogger in the same area earlier in the day. The jogger was not harmed.

Bystanders were upset by the decision of the police and the state Department of Fish and Game to put the moose down, but a police spokeswoman said other options were not feasible.

The moose’s two calves have been taken to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.

Associated Press