Combined briefs package

Attacks kill at least 67 people

A series of coordinated evening blasts in Baghdad and other violence killed at least 67 people in Iraq on Tuesday, officials said, the latest in a months-long surge of bloodshed that Iraqi security forces are struggling to contain. Many of those killed were caught up in a string of car bombings that tore through the Iraqi capital early in the evening as residents were out shopping or heading to dinner. Those blasts struck 11 different neighborhoods and claimed more than 50 lives in a span of less than two hours.

NORTH KOREA

Rodman pays Kim another visit

Former NBA star Dennis Rodman landed Tuesday in North Korea and said he plans to hang out with authoritarian leader Kim Jong Un, have a good time and maybe bridge some cultural gaps — but not be a diplomat. Rodman was greeted at Pyongyang’s airport by Son Kwang Ho, vice-chairman of North Korea’s Olympic Committee, just days after Pyongyang rejected a visit by a U.S. envoy who had hoped to bring home Kenneth Bae, an American missionary jailed there. Rodman first met Kim — a die-hard basketball fan — during a visit in February to promote the sport and make a film.

MONTANA

New hearing ordered in rape case

A judge ordered a new sentencing hearing for a former teacher who received 30 days in prison for raping a student who later killed herself. District Judge G. Todd Baugh said in Tuesday’s order that a two-year mandatory minimum prison term for Stacey Rambold appears to be required under state law. Baugh faced widespread condemnation for saying Rambold’s 14-year-old victim was “older than her chronological age.” A Yellowstone County attorney said the judge could lack the authority to order a new trial because an illegal sentence must be handled through an appeal.

MICHIGAN

Lawmakers approve Medicaid expansion

Michigan lawmakers gave final approval Tuesday to a measure that would make more low-income adults eligible for Medicaid, positioning the state to become the largest controlled by Republicans to support a key component of the new federal health care law. In a bipartisan 75-32 vote, the House approved expanding the government health insurance program to almost a half-million Michigan residents within a few years, nearly halving the state’s uninsured. An estimated 320,000 are expected to be eligible in late March if the federal government OKs the plan.

NEW JERSEY

Christie away during Paul visit

Gov. Chris Christie has other plans the day his sometime adversary, Sen. Rand Paul, is scheduled to be in the state to endorse the Republican running for U.S. Senate. Christie is taking his wife, Mary Pat, to Florida to celebrate her 50th birthday. Paul is scheduled to endorse fellow Republican Steve Lonegan at a rally Friday. Lonegan is running against Democrat Cory Booker in a special election. On Tuesday, the governor said the choice between Paul and his wife is “no choice.”

ROMANIA

Leader urges killing of stray dogs

President Traian Basescu urged the government Tuesday to pass emergency legislation that would allow thousands of stray dogs in Bucharest to be euthanized. He cited the mauling of 4-year-old child who died after an attack Monday in the capital city. Authorities say stray dogs bit about 1,100 people the Bucharest in the first four months of 2013. The law now only allows the killing of stray dogs that are sick.

NEW YORK

British soldiers accused of beating cop

Six British soldiers were charged Tuesday with assault in the beating of an off-duty New York City police officer. Authorities said the charges stem from an argument that broke out Friday morning outside a Manhattan bar. A complaint says the attackers punched the unarmed police officer until he fell to the ground and that when the officer tried to call 911, one of the men punched him again and took his cellphone. The complaint says the officer suffered a broken nose and a swollen jaw.

SAN FRANCISCO

New bridge handles first commute

The new $6.4 billion eastern span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge handled its first morning commute Tuesday with few problems other than the traffic snarls that were common around the old span. California Highway Patrol Officer Sam Morgan said traffic heading into San Francisco on the bridge around noon was a little heavier than usual, possibly because of excitement about the new bridge. The new bridge replaces the structure that was damaged during the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, which struck during Game 3 of the the World Series between the Oakland Athletics and San Francisco Giants.