Nation, world briefs 6/2/15

Boat with 450 on it sinks in China river

BEIJING -- A yacht carrying more than 450 people sank overnight in the Yangtze River during a cyclone in southern China, and eight people have been rescued, the state broadcaster CCTV reported today. Rescue work was underway, but strong winds and rain were hampering the search, CCTV said. The boat was traveling from Nanjing to the southwestern city of Chongqing when it sank about 9:28 p.m. Monday in Hubei province, the report said. The official Xinhua News Agency quoted the captain and chief engineer, who were rescued, as saying the ship sank quickly after being caught in a cyclone.

Hastert judge gave to his campaign

CHICAGO -- Former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert is set to make his first court appearance in his hush-money case Thursday, when he is expected to enter a plea before a federal judge who donated $1,500 to the then-Illinois congressman's re-election campaign. The arraignment for Hastert, a Republican once second in line to the U.S. presidency, comes a week after a grand jury indictment alleged he agreed to pay $3.5 million to ensure someone from the Illinois town where he taught and coached stayed quiet about "prior misconduct" by Hastert. The office of U.S. District Judge Thomas M. Durkin confirmed the arraignment date, then said later Monday that Durkin could not comment on any aspect of the case, including whether he might recuse himself.

Graham opens 2016 presidential bid

CENTRAL, S.C. -- South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham opened his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination Monday with an accounting of radical Islam "running wild" in a world imperiled by Iran's nuclear ambitions. He dedicated himself to defeating U.S. adversaries -- a commitment that would place thousands of troops back in Iraq, essentially re-engaging in a war launched in 2003. "I've got one simple message," he told supporters in the small town where he grew up. "I have more experience with our national security than any other candidate in this race. That includes you, Hillary." In that fashion, he took on Democratic candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton and noninterventionists in his party.

-- From wire reports