Obama sending 100 troops to Africa

Obama sending 100 troops to Africa

WASHINGTON

Intervening in a volatile and brutal crisis, President Barack Obama said Friday he has dispatched 100 U.S. troops to central Africa to support a years-long fight against a guerrilla group accused of horrific atrocities. Obama said they were sent to advise, not engage in combat, unless forced to defend themselves. In a letter to Congress, Obama said the troops will act as advisers in a long-running battle against the Lord’s Resistance Army, considered one of Africa’s most ruthless rebel groups, and help to hunt down its notorious leader, Joseph Kony.

Romney, Perry top GOP fundraising

WASHINGTON

Republicans Mitt Romney and Rick Perry are neck and neck in filling their presidential campaign coffers after a summer of strong fundraising amid voter anger over jobs and the economy. They’re pulling in big bucks — $30 million combined — though not nearly as big as the man they hope to replace in the White House. Former Massachusetts Gov. Romney on Friday reported roughly $14 million in contributions during the July-September period and had nearly $15 million on hand. Texas Gov. Perry, who briefly surged to the top of the Republican presidential field this summer, has roughly the same in the bank, having raised about $17 million during the first few weeks of his campaign.

UK defense minister resigns over scandal

LONDON

Britain’s defense minister Liam Fox quit his post Friday after days of allegations about the influence-peddling of a close personal friend who joined key visits overseas and posed as an unofficial aide.

Fox acknowledged he had blurred the lines of his professional and private lives in allowing Adam Werritty, who had previously worked as a defense lobbyist, to organize meetings and join him during 18 trips overseas.

A government inquiry into the case will continue to investigate whether Werritty used his access and friendship with Fox for personal gain or on behalf of others seeking to win favor or contracts with Britain.

Suspect in salon shooting arraigned

SANTA ANA, Calif.

Angry, sobbing relatives and friends of the victims gunned down in a massacre at a Seal Beach hair salon shouted at the suspect in court Friday, calling him a coward who they should have beat up a long time ago.

“I hate you,” one woman yelled through tears while leaving the Santa Ana courtroom where defendant Scott Dekraai, 41, made his first appearance wearing an orange jail jumpsuit, his shackles clanking as he walked.

Dekraai, a former tugboat operator who lived in Huntington Beach, was charged Friday with eight counts of murder and one count of attempted murder. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

Man gets new hands through transplant

BOSTON

A quadruple amputee who received new hands through a transplant operation says he is looking forward to doing ordinary things again: getting dressed, taking a shower, making coffee and, sweetest of all, touching the faces of his two grandsons.

Richard Mangino, 65, of Revere, lost his arms below the elbows and his legs below the knees after he had a kidney stone in 2002 and contracted a severe bloodstream infection.

Last week, a team of more than 40 surgeons, nurses and support staff at Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital worked for more than 12 hours performing a hand transplant.

Associated Press