In brief: Gunmen target security official

Mexico City – Gunmen armed with high-caliber weapons ambushed the top security official in Mexican President Felipe Calderon’s home state early Saturday, wounding her and killing at least four other people.

Minerva Bautista Gomez, public security minister for Michoacan state, had just left ceremonies launching a state fair, which she attended with the governor and other high-ranking officials.

Within a mile, her armored SUV and bodyguard escort came under fire from assailants who had blocked the highway with a disabled trailer, trapping the minister and her entourage.

The gunmen escaped.

Presidential vote closely watched

Vienna, Austria – Austria’s president is widely expected to win a second term today.

But the voting for the largely ceremonial post is being watched as a yardstick of far-right sentiment, measured by how well a politician who has taken issue with the country’s anti-Nazi law will do.

Polls predict a clear win for incumbent Heinz Fischer, a Social Democrat, with Barbara Rosenkranz from the anti-foreigner and anti-European Union Freedom Party coming in a distant second. Rudolf Gehring of the tiny Austrian Christian Party is expected to finish last.