US: Kabul attackers will be dealt with

US: Kabul attackers will be dealt with

washington

The Obama administration declared Tuesday it wouldn’t allow the brazen assault on the U.S. Embassy and other buildings in Kabul to deter the American mission in Afghanistan, warning the attackers that they would be pursued relentlessly.

The White House said President Barack Obama was briefed on the attack Tuesday morning, after insurgents fired grenades and assault rifles at the embassy, NATO headquarters and other sites in Afghanistan’s capital, while suicide bombers struck police buildings. The Taliban claimed responsibility.

DHS: New security policy for kids

WASHINGTON

Children 12 years old and younger soon will no longer be required to remove their shoes at airport security checkpoints, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano told Congress on Tuesday. The policy also includes other ways to screen young children without resorting to a pat-down that involves touching private areas on the body.

Napolitano said during a Senate hearing on the terror threat to the U.S. that the changes would be rolled out in the coming months. But the Transportation Security Administration later said the changes would be rolled out in weeks rather than months.

Curbs on young drivers have risks

CHICAGO

Strong driver’s license laws have led to fewer fatal crashes among 16-year-olds but with a disturbing side effect — more fatal accidents among 18-year-olds, a nationwide study found.

Many states require young drivers to get extensive experience, including driving with an adult, before getting a full license. But in most states those laws only apply to those younger than 18. The new study suggests some teens are just putting off getting a license until they turn 18 — meaning they have little experience and higher odds for a deadly crash.

Republican wins Weiner’s House seat

NEW YORK

Newly elected Republican Rep. Bob Turner says his shocking win in a heavily Democratic New York City district is a “loud and clear” message to Washington.

Turner defeated Democratic Assemblyman David Weprin on Tuesday to succeed Anthony Weiner, who resigned amid a sexting scandal. It’s the first time a Republican has been elected in the district.

Addressing jubilant supporters after his win, Turner said the people voted against what he called Democratic President Barack Obama’s irresponsible fiscal policy.

Same goal, different plans for debt panel

washington

Digging in for a bruising struggle, Republicans on Congress’ powerful deficit-fighting “supercommittee” targeted Social Security and government health-care spending Tuesday while Democrats pressed for higher tax revenue as part of any deal to reduce red ink by at least $1.2 trillion over the next decade. There were no ultimatums from either side, and there even was a fleeting suggestion that tax reform might eventually clear the way for the bipartisan agreement that both sides say they want.

Smoke from Minn. forest fire spreads

MINNEAPOLIS

A rapidly expanding wildfire in Minnesota’s north woods spread a plume of smoke across the Upper Midwest on Tuesday, with haze smudging the sky as far away as Chicago and Milwaukee, where the Brewers closed their stadium roof before a night game.

The haze was heavy enough that some people reported burning eyes.

Associated Press