NATIONAL BRIEFS

WASHINGTON: "Bags of money" denied

The White House is disputing Afghan President Hamid Karzai's assertion that Washington provides him with "bags of money." "We're not in the big bags of cash business," presidential press secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters Tuesday. Karzai, in acknowledging he receives millions in cash from Iran, added that Washington gives him "bags of money," too. Gibbs said Washington does provide aid through international development programs.

Under Obama, more gays

Less than halfway through his first term, President Barack Obama has appointed more openly gay officials than any other president in history. Gay activists say the estimate of more than 150 appointments so far, from agency heads and commission members to policy officials and senior staffers, surpasses the 140 reached during two full terms under President Bill Clinton. The pace of appointments has helped to ease broader disappointment among gay rights groups that Obama has not acted more quickly on other fronts, such as ending the "don't ask, don't tell" policy that bans gays from serving openly in the military. In a sign of how times have changed, few of the appointees, about two dozen required Senate confirmation, have stirred much controversy.

TEXAS: Jury seated for DeLay trial

A jury has been chosen for the trial of former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, who is accused of illegally financing Texas GOP legislative races in 2002. A panel of six men and six women and two alternates were picked Tuesday in Austin. DeLay, 63, former Houston-area congressman, is charged with money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering. DeLay says he committed no crime.

ARIZONA: Voter ID law overturned

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals struck down Tuesday a key part of Arizona's law requiring voters to prove they are citizens before registering to vote. The three-judge panel found the law requiring voters to prove their citizenship while registering was inconsistent with the National Voter Registration Act.