WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama’s pick to be the intelligence chief at the Department of Homeland Security withdrew from consideration Friday amid signs that he could face congressional opposition over his role in the CIA’s interrogation of terrorism suspects. Philip Mudd, who has held a series of senior positions at the CIA and FBI, said he had decided to step aside out of concern that his nomination would “become a distraction” to the administration. Mudd became the latest candidate for a high-level intelligence position to be forced to withdraw after being tied to the CIA’s use of severe methods to interrogate terrorism suspects.
Flight attendant linked to door
Passengers on the Airbus A320 airliner that ditched into the Hudson River in January have told a federal safety panel that it was a flight attendant — not a panicked passenger — who opened a rear door on the aircraft, sending water rushing into the cabin. The National Transportation Safety Board has scheduled three days of hearings next week on safety issues arising from the forced landing of US Airways Flight 1549 into the Hudson between New York and New Jersey on Jan. 15.
Alaska: Two climbers’ bodies
Searchers have found the bodies of two Japanese climbers who disappeared last year on Alaska’s Mount McKinley. The frozen bodies of the 27-year-old and 24-year-old men were found connected by a rope. They had been missing since May 22, 2008. The bodies were discovered about 500 feet from the top of the 20,320-foot mountain. Mount McKinley is North America’s tallest peak.
Tennessee: Handguns in bars
Handguns will soon be allowed in bars and restaurants in Tennessee under a new law passed by state legislators who voted to override the governor’s veto. The legislation that takes effect July 14 retains an existing ban on consuming alcohol while carrying a handgun, and restaurant owners can still opt to ban weapons from their establishments. The state Senate voted 21-9 on Thursday against Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen’s veto, a day after the House also voted 69-27 to override.
California: Transgender rap
Bank of America, Verizon, Chipotle and other companies have pulled advertising from a Sacramento radio station after talk show hosts referred to transgender people as “freaks” with mental disorders. During a May 28 show, one of the three hosts on KRXQ’s “Rob, Arnie &Dawn” show said he would hit his son with his shoe if he put on high heels. Another said he would tell a boy he was “a little idiot” if he asked to wear a dress. Officials with Bank of America Corp. and Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. said Friday their companies pulled advertising because they found the comments offensive.
New York: Verbal skill feud
The Hawaiian Tropic Zone restaurant in Times Square is hitting back at a woman who says she was denied a job as a bikini-clad barmaid because her speech was too “ghetto.” Hawaiian Tropic’s lawyer asked a Manhattan judge Friday to dismiss 22-year-old Melody Morales’ discrimination lawsuit. The lawyer said staffers are salespeople and employers have the right to deny employment to inarticulate speakers. He says they are not a class protected from discrimination.
China: Oldest pottery found
Chinese and Israeli archaeologists have discovered the oldest known pottery, remains of an 18,000-year-old cone-shaped vase excavated from a cave in southern China. The shards are about 1,000 years older than the previous record-holder, found in Japan. After flint tools, pottery is one of the oldest human-made materials, and tracing its development provides insight into the evolution of culture. The cave shows signs of human occupation from about 21,000 years to 13,800 years ago.
Britain: Susan Boyle recovers
The brother of talent-show contestant Susan Boyle said the singer has left a mental health care facility and is doing better. Gerry Boyle said Friday that his sister had been released from the London clinic. She was admitted Sunday, after coming in second place in the “Britain’s Got Talent” television show. Gerry Boyle said his sister suffered from an anxiety attack but now seems “a lot more like herself.”
From Herald news services
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
