New Pentagon chief visits Afghanistan

New Pentagon chief visits Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan

U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter made his international debut today with a visit to Afghanistan to see American troops and commanders, meet with Afghan leaders and assess whether U.S. withdrawal plans are too risky to Afghan security.

“We’re looking for success in Afghanistan that is lasting,” Carter told reporters traveling with him on his first trip since being sworn in as Pentagon chief Tuesday.

Carter, an experienced defense strategist, revealed little about his thinking on current trends and future prospects for Afghanistan, saying he was using his trip to gather information that will enable him to formulate advice for President Barack Obama.

Ex-Va. first lady gets 1 year for corruption

RICHMOND, Va.

The judge who sentenced former Virginia first lady Maureen McDonnell to prison for one year for corruption said Friday he struggled with the appropriate punishment and ultimately adopted the view of a couple who sent a letter of support describing “two Maureens.”

The letter portrayed her as a loving mother and devoted wife once known for kindness and grace who later became a first lady who “belittled and terrorized employees” at the Executive Mansion and threw tantrums when she didn’t get her way, U.S. District Judge James Spencer said.

The former first lady and former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell were convicted in September of accepting $165,000 in bribes from a businessman. He was sentenced last month to two years in prison. The couple is free on bond while they appeal the convictions.

Paul: Announcement in March or April

LOUISVILLE, Ky.

U.S. Sen. Rand Paul said Friday that he is leaning toward a run for president and likely will make an announcement in his home state of Kentucky sometime in March or April.

“Anything that I do, you know I’m from Kentucky, will be in Kentucky,” Paul told reporters after a speech in Louisville on Friday.

Hours later, he was in Alabama testing his pitch that the GOP’s hopes depend on nominating “a different kind of Republican.”

US to fine maker of air bags $14K per day

RICHMOND, Va.

The U.S. government will fine Japanese air-bag maker Takata Corp. $14,000 per day for failing to fully cooperate in a long-running investigation of faulty and potentially dangerous air- bag inflators.

The inflators, in cars made by 10 companies, can explode with too much force, spewing shrapnel into drivers and passengers. At least six people have been killed and 64 injured worldwide due to the problem.

86-story building in Dubai in flames

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates

One of the world’s tallest residential towers caught fire early today in Dubai’s Marina district, sending bright yellow flames several stories high, but there were no reports of casualties, civil-defense officials said.

The fire broke out about 2 a.m. in the 86-story Torch tower on the northeastern end of the densely populated district, which is packed with multistory skyscrapers. Debris from the fire cluttered nearby streets after the blaze appeared to be extinguished. High winds whipped through the area.

The civil-defense officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said there were no reports of deaths or injuries.

The cause of the fire was not immediately clear.

Associated Press