Immigration plan — A plan by President Barack Obama for an overhaul of the immigration system would put illegal immigrants on a path to citizenship that could begin after about eight years and would require them to go to the back of the line behind legal applicants, according to a draft of the legislation that the White House has circulated within the administration. The White House on Wednesday sent copies of the draft to officials in government agencies that deal with immigration and border security, said an administration official who agreed to discuss the details only on the condition of anonymity.
McCready death — Mindy McCready, who hit the top of the country charts before personal problems sidetracked her career, died Sunday. She was 37. A news release from the Cleburne County Sheriff’s Office says that McCready, 37, was found dead Sunday afternoon with what appears to be a single, self-inflicted wound.
Suez Canal protests — Thousands of demonstrators shut down the administrative buildings of the Suez Canal terminal in the city of Port Said on Sunday, as part of a general strike protesting the death sentences handed down three weeks ago to 21 local soccer fans for their roles in a deadly riot last year. The administrative facilities were emptied as the protesters approached, residents said, and a military guard protected the port from disruption.
Defense secretary nomination — Republican opponents of former Sen. Chuck Hagel’s stalled bid to become defense secretary said Sunday that they’ll probably allow his Senate confirmation vote to proceed unless material more damaging to the nominee — and, by extension, the Obama administration — surfaces in the coming week. Critics said the decorated Vietnam combat veteran is a “radical" unqualified to lead the U.S. military.
Nigeria kidnapping — Gunmen attacked a camp for a construction company in rural northern Nigeria, killing a guard and kidnapping seven foreign workers from Britain, Greece, Italy, Lebanon and the Philippines, authorities said Sunday, in the biggest kidnapping yet in a region under attack by Islamic extremists. The attack Saturday night happened in Jama’are, a town in Bauchi state.
Maker’s Mark to keep alcohol — After backlash from customers, the producer of Maker’s Mark bourbon is reversing a decision to cut the amount of alcohol in bottles of its famous whiskey. Rob Samuels, Maker’s Mark’s chief operating officer, said Sunday that it is restoring the alcohol volume of its product to its historic level of 45 percent, or 90 proof. Last week, it said it was lowering the amount to 42 percent, or 84 proof, because of a supply shortage.
Israel trial — Israel’s tough-talking former foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman, pleaded not guilty on Sunday to charges of fraud and breach of trust in a criminal case that leaves his political future hanging in the balance. Lieberman made his plea, through a lawyer, in a short court appearance as his trial opened.
Cyprus to have runoff vote — Cyprus heads into a runoff presidential election next weekend, with voters called on to select who will lead the country through a severe financial crisis after no candidate won an outright majority in Sunday’s vote. Nicos Anastasiades, a right-winger who presented himself as the most capable to negotiate a bailout with Cyprus’ European partners and who went into the election a strong favorite, won the first round with just over 45 percent of the vote. But he fell short of the 50 percent plus one vote needed for an outright victory.
— From wire reports
