Assault-weapons ban not in Dem bill

Assault-weapons ban not in Dem bill

washington

An assault-weapons ban won’t be in the gun-control legislation that Democrats bring to the Senate floor next month, a decision that means the ban’s chances of survival now are all but hopeless.

The ban is the most controversial firearms restriction that President Barack Obama and other Democrats have pressed for since an assault-type weapon was used in the December massacre at an elementary school in Newtown, Conn. Rejection by Congress would be a major victory for the National Rifle Association and its supporters and a setback for Obama and the provision’s sponsor, Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California.

Bombings in Iraq kill at least 65

BAGHDAD

Insurgents sent a bloody message on the eve of the 10th anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion, carrying out a wave of bombings across the country Tuesday that killed at least 65 people in the deadliest day in Iraq this year.

The nearly 20 attacks, most of them in and around Baghdad, demonstrated in stark terms how dangerously divided Iraq remains more than a year after American troops withdrew. More than 240 people were reported wounded.

It was Iraq’s bloodiest day since Sept. 9, when an onslaught of bombings and shootings killed 92.

Man kills wife, self in hospice ward

ALLENTOWN, Pa.

Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin said an 86-year-old man shot and killed his wife then turned the gun on himself Tuesday afternoon in the hospice ward of Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown.

Mildred Osman, 83, was found dead in her bed, Martin said. Elwood Osman also was found dead in the room. Mildred Osman was in hospice care. No one else was in the room, according to Martin.

Elwood Osman was distraught, according to his son, Thomas Osman, and wanted to end his wife’s suffering. Thomas Osman said his mother suffered from spinal stenosis and macular degeneration, and recently had a stroke.

Statue of Liberty to reopen by July 4

NEW YORK

The Statue of Liberty, closed since superstorm Sandy damaged the island where it stands, will reopen to the public in time for Independence Day, officials said Tuesday.

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced the time line for the reopening along with U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer of New York.

“Hurricane Sandy inflicted major damage on facilities that support the Statue of Liberty,” Salazar said. “Based on the tremendous progress we have made, Lady Liberty will be open to the public in time for the July 4th celebration.”

Woman guilty of murder of grandson

PONTIAC, Mich.

A 75-year-old woman was convicted Tuesday of second-degree murder for killing her teenage grandson last spring in her Detroit-area home, after jurors rejected her claim that she shot him six times in self-defense.

Sandra Layne cried quietly when she heard the verdict, which was delivered during the first full day of jury deliberations. She also was found guilty of using a firearm during a felony and likely faces at least 14 years in prison for the death of her grandson, Jonathan Hoffman.

Combined dispatches