Republican tapped for Army, and more

Republican tapped for Army

President Obama named Rep. John McHugh of New York to be secretary of the Army. McHugh, whose upstate district is home to the Army’s 10th Mountain Division, is a nine-term representative and the ranking Republican on the Armed Services panel. He is expected to focus on quality-of-life issues facing soldiers and their families, including health care, pay, and family support.

New passport rules

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Starting this week, U.S. and Canadian citizens must produce passports or a sharply limited number of alternative documents when entering the U.S. from Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean. Previously, all that was required was a photo ID or driver’s license. The new rules are part of a broader border-control crackdown proposed after 9/11. Other allowable travel documents include a certificate that a passport has been ordered, or a so-called enhanced driver’s license with biometric data.