President Barack Obama promised "answers to every single question" about Thursday's shooting at Fort Hood after an attack by at least one U.S. service member that left 12 soldiers dead and 31 wounded.
Speaking at the Interior Department, Obama said he had already conferred with Defense Secretary Robert Gates about the attack and would continue to receive updates."We don't yet know all the details," Obama said. "What we do know is that a number of American soldiers have been killed and even more have been wounded in a horrific outburst of violence."
"These are men and women who have made the selfless and courageous decision to risk and at times give their lives to the rest of us on a daily basis," the president continued. "It is horrifying that they should come under fire at an Army base on American soil."
From the McAllen (TX) Monitor, on the seizure of 900 pounds of marijuana:
U.S. Border Patrol agents netted nearly 900 pounds of marijuana during two unrelated seizures Wednesday.
The first seizure occurred just before noon when agents spotted a black 1992 Honda Accord speeding north from the Rio Grande, according to a U.S. Border Patrol statement. The agents stopped the car and found two bundles of marijuana in the passenger area. A search of the car revealed four additional bundles in the trunk. Agents arrested the driver and seized 274 pounds of marijuana.
The larger seizure took place in the late afternoon when agents saw a black 1997 Lincoln Town Car also speeding away from the Rio Grande. Agents attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver accelerated north onto Farm-to-Market Road 493 from Military Highway 281. The driver lost control of the vehicle and it came to rest in a dirt culvert. The driver ran away and evaded arrest, but a passenger was taken into custody. Authorities found eight bundles of marijuana with a total weight of 604 pounds.
The drugs from the seizures have an estimated street value of $702,400.
From the Associated Press, on possible DNA testing for immigrants:
The Obama administration is considering using DNA tests for some foreign refugee applicants following a Bush-era pilot program that found massive fraud among those claiming family links to join relatives already in the United States.
The State Department said Thursday that it and the Homeland Security Department are nearing a decision on ways to reinstate a refugee resettlement program that was suspended last year when the fraud was uncovered.
"These new procedures will likely include DNA testing," the State Department said in a statement given to the Associated Press. The U.S. experiment using genetic testing ended in 2008 and was aimed only at proving family relationships.
From the Orange County Register, on a change in ICE's policy towards illegal immigrants:
Immigration agents in charge of chasing down illegal immigrants who are avoiding deportation orders are increasingly focusing their efforts on arresting those with criminal records.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement statistics reflect a shift in the new administration's focus compared to the last three years. For instance, three years ago only 22 percent of those arrested by fugitive operations agents in the Southern California area had criminal records. During this fiscal year, more than 50 percent of the 3,039 arrests in the same area had a criminal history
11 LOCAL
Secretary Napolitano will participate in a meeting with the European Parliament to discuss coordination to combat international crime and terrorism.
Altiiero Spinelli Building
Rue, Wiertz, 60
Brussels, Belgium
12 PM LOCAL
Secretary Napolitano will participate in a media availability with members of the European Parliament.
Ana Politovskaia Press Roo
PHS Building
Brussels, Belgium
2:15 PM LOCAL
Secretary Napolitano will join World Customs Organization Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya announce the results of Operation ATLAS.
World Customs Organization
Rue du Marche, 30
Brussels, Belgium