Church burning deepens tumult of Egypt transition
CAIRO (AP) — Relations between Egypt’s Muslims and Christians degenerated to a new low Sunday after riots overnight left 12 people dead and a church burned, adding to the disorder of the country’s post-revolution transition to democracy.
The attack on the church was the latest sign of assertiveness by an extreme, ultraconservative movement of Muslims known as Salafis. Salafis have been blamed for other recent attacks on Christians and others they don’t approve of.
Mexico captures suspected drug gang leader
MEXICO CITY (AP) – Äî Federal police have captured a suspected drug gang leader in a central Mexican state where relentless violence prompted hundreds of citizens to set off in a days-long protest march that arrived in the capital Sunday.
Jose Zarco Cardenas, 22, had recently begun heading operations in Morelos state for a gang that broke off from the Beltran Leyva cartel following the death of leader Arturo Beltran Leyva in December 2009, the Public Safety Department said in a statement Sunday.
Israel remembers fallen soldiers and attack victims
 
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel came to a standstill Sunday as air raid sirens sounded across the country for one minute after nightfall to mark the beginning of its annual memorial day for fallen soldiers and victims of attacks.
Speaking at the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem before relatives of fallen soldiers, Israeli President Shimon Peres said the recent calls for democratization in the Arab world offered hope for the future, but Israel would remain vigilant.
New York lawmakers eye Bin Laden bounty for 9/11 victims
NEW YORK (AP) — Two congressmen from New York City say that up to $50 million in Osama bin Laden bounty money should go to first responders, survivors and families of victims of the Sept. 11 attacks.
The Rewards for Justice Program established a bounty of $25 million in 2001 to help bring bin Laden to justice. In 2004, Congress passed legislation providing the secretary of state up to $50 million to award for information leading to the capture of bin Laden.
Train crashes pulling into New Jersey station, hurting 34
HOBOKEN, N.J. (AP) — A commuter train from New York pulling into the station for its final stop crashed into the bumpers at the end of the tracks Sunday morning, injuring 34 people and shutting down service indefinitely.
None of the injuries in the PATH train’s 8:30 a.m. crash were considered life-threatening, though several victims were taken away on stretchers or put in neck braces as a precaution, Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer said. The injured‚ Äî, mostly sustained cuts and bruises.
Gov. Bobby Jindal releases birth certificate
(AP) — Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, who was born in Baton Rouge to immigrant parents from India, has released his birth certificate.
The Republican made the move Friday, nine days after President Barack Obama released his own long-form birth certificate to further prove that he was born in the United States.
Jindal is considered by some observers as a potential candidate in the 2012 presidential race.
His office says they released the document on request, after being asked whether Jindal’s eligibility to run for office would be affected by a “birthright citizenship” bill.
Jury: Grambling State owes fired coach $460,500
(AP) — Grambling State University broke its contract with football coach Melvin Spears Jr. when it fired him in late 2006, and owes him $460,500 ‚Äî plus $130,000 for his attorneys, a Louisiana jury decided.
The East Baton Rouge Parish jury, which handed down the verdict Friday, rejected Spears’ claim that the university defamed him.
Spears, 51, was named coach at Alcorn State University earlier this year.