LITTLE ROCK — QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Immigration is hard enough as it is and adding another controversial issue to the mix makes it even harder.”
Kevin Appleby, director of migration policy at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which signed a letter opposing a White House proposal to give foreign homosexuals equal immigration rights as their heterosexual counterparts Article, 1A
Kerry busy on 1st weekend as envoy
WASHINGTON - New Secretary of State John Kerry had a busy first weekend on the job, calling Palestinian, Israeli, Turkish, Canadian and Mexican officials.
In his conversation Sunday with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Kerry told him that President Barack Obama “is very interested in the peace process and aware of the economic hardships of the Palestinian people,” Abbas spokesman Nabel Abu Rdeneh said.
Abu Rdeneh also said that Kerry promised to visit the region for further talks with Abbas “to preserve the political path.” No time was set for the visit.
The State Department said Kerry spoke with Israeli President Shimon Peres on Saturday about the formation of the country’s new government, and that the two “exchanged views” on the peace process and regional matters.
Also on his first full day as America’s top diplomat, Kerry got an update from Turkey’s foreign minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, about the investigation into Friday’s suicide bombing at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara. He also spoke with Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird about Iran, Mali and the proposed Keystone XL pipeline that would run from Canada to Texas. He discussed with Mexico’s foreign minister, Jose Antonio Meade, the deadly blast at the headquarters of Mexico’s state-owned oil company.
Kerry also had lunch with George Shultz, secretary of state under President Ronald Reagan.
Still no to backgrounding, NRA says
WASHINGTON - The National Rifle Association’s executive vice president continued to oppose background checks for all gun purchases.
The NRA’s Wayne LaPierre said on Fox News Sunday that background checks for all gun purchases would lead to a national registry of gun owners. Critics say such a registry could lead to taxes on guns or to confiscation.
Mark Kelly, a gun owner and husband of Gabrielle Giffords, the former Arizona congressman who survived a 2011 shooting, asked LaPierre to listen to his members. He said the current system has prevented 1.7 million gun purchases since 1999. Those potential buyers, however, had other options because many gun sales don’t require a background check.
“Members of the NRA tend to be very reasonable on this issue,” said Kelly, who also appeared on the Fox show.
Requiring checks for all gun purchases would be a bureaucratic nightmare, LaPierre said. “It’s going to affect only the law-abiding people. Criminals could care less.”
U.S. reaches agreement on tomatoes
WASHINGTON - The Commerce Department has announced a proposed agreement on fresh tomatoes imported from Mexico that would strengthen anti-dumping enforcement and reset minimum wholesale prices.
The agreement with Mexico’s tomato industry would suspend an investigation initiated after Florida tomato growers complained that Mexican producers were selling fresh tomatoes for less than the production cost.
The proposal would replace a pact that’s been in place for 16 years. The Commerce Department has just released a draft of the agreement for public comment.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says it will allow the U.S. tomato industry “to compete on a level playing field.”
Bus owner: GPS distracted driver
BOSTON - One person on the bus that crashed into a bridge after a group of high school students visited Harvard University was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries and three were sent with serious injuries, the Boston Emergency Medical Services said.
Thirty-five people were injured in the Saturday night crash, police said.
Dozens of high school students and their adult chaperones from the Philadelphia area were aboard the charter bus when the driver failed to heed low-clearance warning signs.
Ray Talmedge, owner of the Philadelphia-based Calvary Coach Bus company, told WCAU-TV that Jackson looked down at his GPS and saw the bridge too late.
Massachusetts police identified the Philadelphia driver as 66-year-old Samuel J. Jackson.
Authorities said the bus shouldn’t have been on the road, where a 10-foot height limit is in place and over sized vehicles are not authorized.
Police said no charges have been filed. A phone number listed for Jackson rang unanswered Sunday.
Front Section, Pages 4 on 02/04/2013