Arab League suspends Syria

Arab League suspends Syria

RABAT, Morocco

The Arab League confirmed the suspension of Syria from the organization Wednesday and gave its government three days to halt the violence and accept an observer mission or face economic sanctions.

The suspension — first announced by the Arab League on Saturday and confirmed during the meeting — is a surprisingly harsh and highly unusual move for a member of Syria’s standing.

Qatari Foreign Minister Hamad bin Jassim told reporters after the daylong meeting in Rabat, Morocco, that Syria is being offered the chance to end the violence against civilians and implement a peace plan that the Arab League outlined Nov. 2. The U.N. estimates that more than 3,500 people have been killed in Syria’s 8-month-old uprising.

Obama: US not afraid of China

CANBERRA, Australia

Signaling a determination to counter a rising China, President Barack Obama vowed today to expand U.S. influence in the Asia-Pacific region and “project power and deter threats to peace” in that part of the world even as he reduces defense spending and winds down two wars.

“The United States is a Pacific power, and we are here to stay,” he declared in a speech to the Australian Parliament, sending an unmistakable message to Beijing.

Obama’s bullish speech came several hours after announcing he would send military aircraft and up to 2,500 Marines to northern Australia for a training hub to help allies and protect American interests across Asia. He declared the U.S. is not afraid of China, by far the biggest and most powerful country in the region.

House OKs bill on weapons permits

WASHINGTON

The House has voted to make concealed-weapon permits issued in one state valid in every other state that allows people to carry concealed firearms.

The first pro-gun bill the House has taken up this year was approved by a sizable majority, with gun-rights Democrats joining a solid block of Republican supporters. It now goes to the Democratic-controlled Senate, where its chances for passage are less certain.

Every state except Illinois has some sort of concealed- carry permit. Many have reciprocity agreements with other states, but the legislation would ensure that permit holders could carry a concealed weapon in the other 48 states with permit systems.

At least 4 die in Southeast storms

ROCK HILL, S.C.

A strong storm system that produced several possible tornadoes has killed at least four people across the Southeast.

In South Carolina, three people were killed and five injured Wednesday when an apparent tornado swept through a rural community near Rock Hill, about 20 miles south of Charlotte, N.C. In north Georgia, a person was killed when a tree fell on a sport utility vehicle.

Suspected tornadoes also were reported in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, and thousands of people were without power.

Major drug tunnel found on border

SAN DIEGO

An estimated 17 tons of marijuana were seized in the discovery of a cross-border tunnel that authorities said Wednesday was one of the most significant secret drug- smuggling passages ever found on the U.S.-Mexico border.

The tunnel discovered Tuesday stretched about 400 yards and linked warehouses in San Diego and Tijuana, authorities said.

Associated Press