Senator McCain said yesterday he had had a small patch of skin removed from his face and biopsied as part of a regular checkup with his dermatologist. “She said that I was doing fine,” Mr. McCain, a three-time melanoma survivor, told reporters on a presidential campaign visit to an oil rig where he spoke briefly about his proposed energy plan. “She took a small little nick from my cheek, as she does regularly, and that will be biopsied just to make sure everything is fine.” The Arizona senator had the procedure performed near Phoenix during a checkup he undergoes every three months. He sported a small bandage on his upper right cheek on his campaign plane but had removed it by the time he spoke with reporters. A small, dark spot stood out on his face. Later, the campaign issued a statement from the chairman of public affairs at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz, Michael Yardley. Mr. Yardley said the biopsy was ordered “as a precaution” and “is a routine minor procedure.”

-Associated Press

COLUMNIST NOVAK HOSPITALIZED WITH BRAIN TUMOR

A syndicated columnist and former “Crossfire” host, Robert Novak, has been diagnosed with a brain tumor and is suspending his journalistic work. Mr. Novak issued a statement yesterday saying the tumor was found Sunday after he had been rushed to Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital from Cape Cod, where he was visiting his daughter. The Chicago Sun-Times columnist says he is suspending his journalistic work for an indefinite, “but God willing, not too lengthy period.” His statement did not say if the tumor was malignant. Mr. Novak was the first to publicly disclose the name of CIA operative Valerie Plame. Last week he was given a $50 citation after he struck a homeless man with his black Corvette in Washington. Mr. Novak kept going until he was stopped by a bicyclist.

-Associated Press

CLINTON LIKELY TO SPEAK ON SECOND NIGHT OF CONVENTION

Senator Clinton will likely have a primetime speaking slot during the second night of the Democratic National Convention next month, her former campaign chairman, Terry McAuliffe, said on MSNBC yesterday. The vice presidential nominee traditionally speaks on the convention’s third night, a further indication that Mrs. Clinton is unlikely to be picked. She has said in recent days that she expects to campaign heavily for Mr. Obama next month after spending much of July tending to her Senate duties.

OBAMA TO MEET WITH PRIME MINISTER OF PAKISTAN

Senator Obama will meet with Prime Minister Gilani of Pakistan today in Washington, NBC News reported on its Web site. The Pakistani leader met yesterday with President Bush. Fresh off a tour of the Middle East and Europe, Mr. Obama has called for America to take a harder line with Pakistan and demand that it put more effort into the search for Al Qaeda members and other terrorists near its border with Afghanistan. He has said he would condition military aid to the country on its cooperation in the fight against terrorism.

-Staff Reporter of the Sun