SOUTH

SUSPECT IN BAR ATTACK DIES AFTER SHOOTOUT

GASSVILLE, Ark. – The teenager suspected in a hatchet and gun attack inside a New England gay bar and in the killing of a policeman died yesterday after being wounded in a shootout with Arkansas officers. Authorities believe he also killed a female acquaintance he had picked up while driving through West Virginia. Jacob Robida, 18, died at Cox-South Hospital in Springfield, Mo., a hospital spokesman, Randy Berger, said.

– Associated Press

WASHINGTON

GOP CHIEF SAYS CLINTON TOO ‘ANGRY,’ CALLS RECORD ‘VERY LEFT-WING’

The chairman of the Republican Party, Kenneth Mehlman, said yesterday that Senator Clinton may be too “angry” to win the presidency if she chooses to run in 2008.

“I don’t think the American people, if you look historically, elect angry candidates,” Mr. Mehlman told ABC’s “This Week” program. “And whether it’s the comments about the plantation or the worst administration in history, Hillary Clinton seems to have a lot of anger.”

Mr. Mehlman also dismissed reports that Mrs. Clinton is taking a more centrist stance in order to position herself for a White House bid. “There’s a lot of talk about a new Hillary Clinton, but if you look at the record, it’s a very left-wing record,” he said. In recent weeks, national GOP leaders have begun to critique Mrs. Clinton, who is seen as a frontrunner for the Democratic nomination in 2008.

– Staff Reporter of the Sun

NATIONWIDE

CUBA-U.S. ENERGY MEETING CHANGES VENUES

A meeting between Cuban officials and American energy executives was moved to another hotel after the Sheraton Hotel in Mexico City, under pressure from the American government, asked the Cubans to leave. The president of the U.S.-Cuba Trade Association, Kirby Jones, said the American government called Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, and pressured the chain to ask the Cubans to leave, arguing that the American company was violating a 45-year-old trade embargo against Cuba.

– Associated Press

NORTHEAST

REP. BERNIE SANDERS COLLAPSES WHILE ATTENDING FUNERAL RICHFORD, Vt. – Rep. Bernie Sanders collapsed yesterday while attending the funeral of a Vermont National Guardsman killed last month in Iraq, Sergeant Joshua Johnson, but he was able to walk to an ambulance without assistance. “I feel all right,” Mr. Sanders, 64, said as he left the building. “My wife had a flu. I’m fine.”

– Associated Press