Shutdown setback widens rift in GOP
WASHINGTON – The Republicans’ clear defeat in the budget-debt brawl has widened the rift between the Grand Old Party and the blossoming tea party movement that helped revive it.
Implored by House Speaker John Boehner to unite and “fight another day” against President Barack Obama and Democrats, Republicans instead intensified attacks on one another, an ominous sign in advance of more difficult policy fights and the 2014 midterm elections.
The tea party movement spawned by the passage of Obama’s health-care overhaul three years ago put the GOP back in charge of the House and in hot pursuit of the law’s repeal.
FBI investigating laser incidents at airport
NEW YORK – The FBI announced Friday it has assigned its Joint Terrorism Task Force to lead a probe of laser attacks on the cockpits of two planes approaching LaGuardia Airport this week, inviting help from the public as well to fight a growing threat against the nation’s air transportation.
“The FBI is asking anyone with information about any of these dangerous laser incidents to pick up the phone and call us,” George Venizelos, head of the FBI’s New York office, said in a release. “Our paramount concern is the safety of aircraft passengers and crew.”
The announcement came along with a report that laser attacks against inbound flights at New York airports have increased 17 percent so far this year, a rising threat because lasers can temporarily or permanently blind a pilot and crew, the FBI said.
The FBI said the first attack occurred when a Shuttle America cockpit was illuminated by a green laser on its final approach to LaGuardia at 7:35 p.m. Tuesday.
The second incident occurred three hours later when a private aircraft reported a green laser two miles southwest of LaGuardia at 10:37 p.m. as it headed eastbound over the Triborough Bridge.
Saudi Arabia refuses Security Council seat
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Saudi Arabia on Friday rejected its seat on the U.N. Security Council hours after it was elected to it, in a rare and startling move aimed at protesting the body’s failure to resolve the Syrian civil war.
The Saudi discontent appeared largely directed at its longtime ally, the United States, reflecting more than two years of frustration. The two are at odds over a number of Mideast issues, including how Washington has handled some of the region’s crises, particularly in Egypt and Syria. It also comes as ties between the U.S. and Iran, the Saudi’s regional foe, appear to be tepidly improving.
Saudi Arabia showed its displeasure last month when Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal declined to address the General Assembly meeting. Days later, the kingdom’s unease with Washington appeared to manifest when President Barack Obama spoke to Iran’s new President Hassan Rouhani.
The kingdom was given one of the rotating seats on the 15-member council in a vote Thursday.
Associated Press
