Nation & World

Officials: 50-plus attacks foiled by NSA surveillance

Programs defended before Congress

WASHINGTON — Recently disclosed National Security Agency surveillance programs have helped disrupt more than 50 "potential terrorist events" around the world over the last 12 years, according to U.S. intelligence officials who described the spying operations as tightly regulated and extremely useful.

Medicare: Cost-saving changes coming for diabetics (Q&A)

WASHINGTON — Medicare begins a major change next month that could save older diabetics money and time when they buy crucial supplies to test their blood sugar.

Turkey's 'standing man' launches new protest wave

ISTANBUL — After weeks of sometimes violent confrontation with police, protesters in Turkey have found what could be a more potent form of resistance: standing still.

CBO: 8 million to gain legal status in Senate bill

WASHINGTON — A key committee in the Republican-led House moved Tuesday toward approving a tough enforcement-focused immigration bill, over objections from Democrats and disruptions from protesters shouting "Shame, shame, shame!"

N.J.'s Booker encounters bumps on possible path to Senate

NEWARK, N.J. — In an accelerated election for a new U.S. senator from New Jersey, the Democratic field is Cory Booker vs. everyone else.

Bombing at Pakistani funeral kills 29

PESHAWAR, Pakistan — A suicide bomber blew himself up in a crowd of hundreds of mourners attending a funeral in northwestern Pakistan on Tuesday, killing 29 people. Among the dead was a newly elected lawmaker who may have been the target, authorities said.

Reputed Mafioso tip triggers new Hoffa body search

OAKLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. — The FBI saw enough merit in a reputed Mafia captain's tip to once again break out the digging equipment to search for the remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa, last seen alive before a lunch meeting with two mobsters nearly 40 years ago.

Transgender candidate could become a first in NYC

NEW YORK — Mel Wymore is a typical city council candidate in many ways, campaigning as a community board appointee, ex-PTA chair and founder of a roster of local organizations. But Wymore's community-leader resume has an unusual feature: He built much of it while he was a woman.

Update: Chrysler agrees to repair SUVs on fire risk

DETROIT — Chrysler said it will fix 2.7 million Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Liberty sport-utility vehicles that U.S. regulators linked to 51 deaths.

House takes up far-reaching anti-abortion bill

WASHINGTON — House Republicans on Tuesday make their most concerted effort of the year to change federal abortion law with legislation that would ban almost all abortions after a fetus reaches the age of 20 weeks.

U.S. says Taliban agrees to Afghanistan peace talks

ENNISKILLEN, Northern Ireland — Senior Obama administration officials said Tuesday that the Taliban has agreed to participate in peace talks based in Qatar, a key step forward in the effort to jump-start a political resolution of the war in Afghanistan ahead of U.S. plans to withdraw troops.

G-8 leaders vow to go after global tax cheats

LONDON — With many of their governments strapped for cash, leaders at a summit of rich nations vowed Tuesday to crack down on tax cheats by swapping financial information and exposing companies that set up elaborate structures to hide their profits.

As economy gains, fewer disability claims filed

The number of U.S. workers filing long-term disability claims declined for the first time in at least four years in 2012 amid an improving economy and employment picture.

Alleged Utah church shooter charged with attempted murder

OGDEN, Utah — It was a quiet part of the Father’s Day Mass as about 300 people stood up in preparation for communion. A parishioner, known by many at the church as Ricky Jennings, entered through the glass doors in back, holding his wife Cheryl’s hand.

Italy top court disagrees with Amanda Knox acquittal

ROME — Italy's high court on Tuesday faulted the appeals court that acquitted American student Amanda Knox of murdering her roommate, saying its ruling was full of "deficiencies, contradictions and illogical" conclusions and ordering the new appeals court to look at all the evidence to determine whether Knox helped kill the teen.