WORLD DIGEST || IS video purports to show killing of spy

IS video purports to show killing of spy

BEIRUT

The Islamic State group released a video Tuesday that purports to show the killing of a Palestinian man accused of being a spy for Israeli intelligence.

In the 13-minute video posted online, a militant and a boy dressed in camouflage stand behind a man in an orange jumpsuit kneeling on the ground. The fighter makes a brief statement in French accusing the man of working for the Mossad before the boy steps forward and shoots the captive, identified as Mohamed Said Ismail Musalam, in the head.

The Associated Press could not independently verify the video, but it was released by the IS group’s Furqan media arm and corresponds to previous IS videos.

Utah lawmakers OK firing squads

SALT LAKE CITY

Utah has passed a bill that would make it the only state to allow firing squads for carrying out a death penalty if there is a shortage of execution drugs.

The bill’s passage in the state Senate on Tuesday comes as states struggle to obtain lethal-injection drugs amid a nationwide shortage.

The legislation’s sponsor, Republican Rep. Paul Ray of Clearfield, touted the measure as being a more humane form of execution. A team of trained marksmen is faster and more humane than the drawn-out deaths that have occurred in botched lethal injections, Ray said.

Obama: Student borrowers need help

ATLANTA

Issuing a clarion call to Americans saddled by student debt, President Barack Obama urged student borrowers Tuesday to stand up for their rights and announced a medley of modest steps to bring some order to a notoriously chaotic system.

Obama unveiled his “student aid bill of rights” before a gymnasium packed with nearly 10,000 students at Georgia Tech, where he said the nation must mobilize to bring about deeper changes to student loans. Not only should every American be able to afford college, Obama said, they also should be able to afford the loan payments that kick in with a vengeance once they graduate.

Abortion issue could stall trafficking bill

WASHINGTON

Bipartisan legislation to crack down on human trafficking turned unexpectedly controversial Tuesday because of a Republican-backed provision relating to abortion that Democrats said they failed to notice.

Democrats privately conceded they lack the votes to strip out the abortion provision, and some lawmakers suggested they would attempt to prevent a final vote on the entire measure instead.

The disputed provision would permanently prohibit the use of federal funds to pay for abortions, except in cases of rape, incest and when the life of the woman was jeopardized. The restrictions have been enacted annually for decades.

Tenn. mulls allowing handguns in parks

NASHVILLE, Tenn.

Community parks, playgrounds and sports fields are among the few areas in Tennessee where local governments can ban people with handgun-carry permits from being armed. Now gun-friendly state lawmakers are looking to change that.

When legislators first enacted a law to allow guns in parks in 2009, they allowed communities to opt out if they wished. More than 70 did. As a result, Republican Rep. Mike Harrison said, the state’s nearly 500,000 permit holders are confused about which parks are off-limits.

Harrison’s bill to allow permit holders to be armed in parks and playgrounds across the state was advanced by voice vote in the House Civil Justice Committee today.

Associated Press