In brief: Israeli move in east Jerusalem draws U.S. concern

JERUSALEM – Israeli authorities gave preliminary approval Wednesday to build 200 homes in a Jewish area of east Jerusalem, a move that threatened to push Israelis and Palestinians deeper into conflict after weeks of unrest over the city’s holiest sites.

The announcement came hours before U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry was scheduled to arrive in neighboring Jordan on a mission aimed in part at restoring calm. A State Department spokeswoman said Washington was “deeply concerned” by the decision.

Egypt says sailors missing in assault

CAIRO – An Egyptian army spokesman said eight sailors are missing after an assault by “terrorist elements” on a navy patrol boat off one of the country’s Mediterranean ports.

Brig. Gen. Mohammed Samir said in a statement on his official Facebook page early today that four assault boats were destroyed and that 32 attackers were arrested. Five troops also were wounded in the attack.

Human smuggling is common in the Mediterranean. Egyptian troops increasingly have come under attack from militants since the ouster of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi last year, though attacks at sea are extremely rare.