NATIONAL BRIEFS

COLORADO: Senate OKs gun restrictions

A gun control package pushed by Democrats cleared the State Senate on Monday, as sponsors described it as a needed response to Colorado's history of mass shootings. One Democrat after another rose to talk about restricting gun rights after last July's shooting at a suburban Denver movie theater. The vote came on the eve of an expected plea by the alleged gunman, James Holmes, who is accused of killing 12 people. The measures approved by the Senate included a limit on the kinds of high-capacity ammunition magazines Holmes is accused of using. Other measures included expanded background checks on private sales and a new ban on gun ownership for people facing domestic violence charges.

WASHINGTON: 13 hurt in drive-by shooting

Thirteen people were injured, one critically, when gunmen in a speeding car opened fire on a crowd standing outside an apartment building in northwest Washington early yesterday, police said. Detectives were reviewing surveillance video showing gunshots being fired as two cars sped down the street in rapid succession, while a group of people on the sidewalk scattered and scrambled for cover. A seriously wounded victim was shot in the back and was in critical condition in the afternoon, police said. None of the other injuries was believed to be life-threatening.

U.S. warns China on cybertheft

The White House called Monday for "serious steps" by China to stop cybertheft, which it described as intolerable to the international community. National security adviser Tom Donilon's comments reflect growing concern in Washington over the security risk posed by cyber intrusions and the economic costs for America. Donilon said U.S. businesses are increasingly speaking out about cybertheft of confidential business information and proprietary technologies emanating from China "on a very large scale." He said Beijing "should take serious steps to investigate and put a stop to these activities" and recognize the risk it poses to international trade and to U.S.-China relations. He called for China to engage in a constructive dialogue with the United States to establish "acceptable norms of behavior in cyberspace."