News in brief

By The Associated Press

Terry Anderson, AP reporter held captive for years, has died

LOS ANGELES | Terry Anderson, the globe-trotting Associated Press correspondent who became one of America’s longest-held hostages, has died. His death Sunday was confirmed by his daughter, Sulome Anderson. Terry Anderson was snatched from a street in war-torn Lebanon in 1985 and held for nearly seven years.

Anderson, who was tortured and chained to a wall, wrote about his experiences in the best-selling memoir, “Den of Lions.” After returning to the United States in 1991, Anderson gave public speeches, taught journalism and, at various times, operated a blues bar, Cajun restaurant, horse ranch and gourmet restaurant. He also struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Race car in Sri Lanka veers off track, killing seven and injuring 20

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka | Officials say a race car veered off the track during a competition in Sri Lanka and rammed into a crowd of spectators and race officials, killing seven people and injuring 20 others.

Thousands of spectators looked on Sunday as the mishap took place during a race in the town of Diyatalawa in the tea-growing central hills, about 110 miles east of the capital Colombo.

Police said one of the cars veered off the track and crashed into spectators and officials of the event. Seven people, including four officials, were killed and another 20 were being treated at a hospital, said Thalduwa. He said three of the injured were in critical condition.

Japanese navy helicopters crash in the Pacific Ocean

TOKYO | Two Japanese navy helicopters carrying eight crew members have crashed in the Pacific Ocean south of Tokyo during nighttime training in a possible collision, leaving one dead. Rescuers on Sunday searched for seven others missing.

Defense Minister Minoru Kihara says the cause of the crash was not immediately known, but officials believe the two helicopters likely collided before crashing into the water. The navy chief of staff, Adm. Ryo Sakai, said training involving the SH-60s will be suspended until the cause of the crash is determined and preventive measures are adopted.

U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel offered his country’s to help with the search and rescue.

—From AP reports