Marchers attack anti-coup protesters

YANGGON, MYANMAR»

Supporters of Myanmar’s junta attacked people protesting the military government that took power in a coup, using slingshots, iron rods and knives Thursday, injuring several of the demonstrators.

The violence complicates an intractable standoff between the military and a protest movement that has been staging large rallies daily to demand that Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government be restored to power. She and other politicians were ousted and arrested Feb. 1 in a takeover that shocked the international community.

Canada’s top military officer steps aside amid investigation.

OTTAWA» Canada’s top military officer temporarily stepped aside as chief of the defense staff after military police opened an investigation into unspecified accusations against him.

The top military officer, Adm. Art McDonald, stepped aside Wednesday in the midst of a investigation into the previous chief of the defense staff, Jonathan Vance, a now retired army general. Reports surfaced this month that Vance behaved inappropriately with two female subordinates.

Utah bill banning trans athletes in girls sports stalls.

CITY»A SALT LAKE proposal to ban transgender athletes from playing on girls sports teams is stalling in Utah, one of more than 20 states considering similar measures that opponents say would harm transgender teenagers.

The Utah Senate Health and Human Services Committee voted to adjourn before voting on the bill with just about a week left before the legislative session ends.

Republican wants to require national anthem in Wisconsin.

MADISON, WIS.» The national anthem would have to be played before all sporting events held at Wisconsin venues that received any public funding under a bill that a Republican lawmaker introduced Thursday.

The sweeping proposal from state Sen. Patrick Testin of Stevens Point comes after the Dallas Mavericks did not play “The Star-Spangled Banner” before home games earlier this season.

Wisconsin hunters exceed wolf target by nearly 100 animals.

MADISON, WIS.» Wisconsin hunters and trappers killed nearly double the number of wolves as the state allotted for a weeklong season, and they did it so quickly that officials had to end the hunt after less than three days, according to figures released Thursday.

Nontribal hunters and trappers had registered 215 wolves as of midday, blowing past the state’s kill target of 119.

The state Department of Natural Resources estimated before the hunt that there were about 1,000 wolves in the state, and its population goal for the animal is 350.