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U.S. to end some deportations

WASHINGTON, June 15 (UPI) -- In a policy shift, the Obama administration announced Friday it no longer will deport most young illegal immigrants and would allow them to seek work permits.

The Department of Homeland Security said the government no longer would seek deportation of undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children, provided they meet specific criteria, and would allow them to apply for work permits. The changes are effective immediately.

President Obama said the department's decision to refocus its enforcement would "mend our nation's immigration policy to make it more fair, more efficient and more just."

The young illegal immigrants attend the country's schools, play and live in U.S. neighborhoods and recite the Pledge of Allegiance, Obama said, adding that the children were brought into the country by their parents and often didn't know they were undocumented until they applied for college or work.

"They're American in every single way but one … on paper," Obama said.

The changes affect undocumented immigrants brought into the United States as children who aren't a risk to national security or public safety and who meet other criteria, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said. Those meeting the criteria could receive deferred action for a 2-year period and will be eligible to apply for work permits.

Europe, Asia, brace for Greek election

PARIS, June 15 (UPI) -- Financial leaders in Europe and Japan said they were prepared to react to a market jolt that might occur after the Greek election Sunday.

Speaking to economists in Germany, European Central Bank President Mario Draghi said, "The Eurosystem will continue to supply liquidity to solvent banks where needed."

Draghi also said he was working with President of the European Council Herman van Rompuy and President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso to put together a region-wide financial plan, The New York Times reported Friday.

In Britain, Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne said, "we are not powerless in the face of the eurozone debt storm."

The governor of the Bank of Japan, Masaaki Shirakawa, said the bank was "prepared to take all possible measures to ensure the financial system does not come under threat."

The central bank in Switzerland also said it was ready to react to the election in Greece that could decide the fate of the eurozone.

The election pits the pro-bailout New Democracy party against the radical Syriza party, which has pledged to toss out much of the bailout program that has meant higher taxes and spending cuts, although it has kept Greece from falling into default.

U.N.: Both sides escalating Syria violence

DAMASCUS, Syria, June 15 (UPI) -- U.S. officials Friday said a Russian ship headed for Syria to protect Moscow's deep water port as violence in the Middle East country escalated.

A small contingent of combat forces was aboard the vessel headed for Tartus, which hosts a Cold War-era naval supply and maintenance base staffed by Russians under a 1971 agreement with Syria, NBC News quoted U.S. officials as saying.

U.S. officials also backpedaled on charges Russia was sending attack helicopters to Syria to help prop up the regime of Bashar Assad. Rather, the officials said, Russia had shipped replacement parts for choppers already in use by Damascus.

The head of the United Nations monitoring mission in Syria Friday accused both the government and rebels of escalating violence in the country in recent days.

Norway Maj. Gen. Robert Mood's assessment came six weeks after U.N. monitors began deploying to Syria under a peace plan proffered by U.N.-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan, The New York Times reported.

Body found near his home ID'd as surgeon

BUFFALO, N.Y., June 15 (UPI) -- The Buffalo, N.Y., surgeon suspected of killing his former girlfriend appears to have taken his own life soon after the shooting, authorities said Friday.

The body of Dr. Timothy Jorden Jr., 49, was discovered Friday morning in a ravine near his home in Lakeview outside Buffalo, The Buffalo News reported. Police had been searching the area since a neighbor reported Thursday hearing a gunshot the day before.

At a news conference, Dennis Richards, chief of detectives with the Buffalo police, said Jorden was wearing hospital scrubs. He appeared to have shot himself.

The victim, Jackie Wisniewski, 33, worked at the Erie County Medical Center, where Jorden was a trauma surgeon. She told friends after ending an affair with the doctor that she was afraid of him.

Jorden was the target of a nationwide manhunt after the killing Wednesday morning. Investigators said he appeared to have planned the shooting and his getaway.

Rep: Lohan suffering from exhaustion

LOS ANGELES, June 15 (UPI) -- Lindsay Lohan's publicist says the actress was treated for exhaustion and dehydration in her room at a Los Angeles hotel Friday.

Lohan, 25, wasn't taken to a hospital and emergency workers called to her room left after determining she was OK.

The former child star has been shooting her long-awaited comeback, "Liz & Dick," a bio-picture about silver screen icon Elizabeth Taylor and Taylor's husband, Richard Burton.

"She was on set last night at 7 p.m. and worked through the night until 8 a.m. this morning," Lohan's publicist Steve Honig told People.com.

"She took a nap before shooting her final scene. Producers were concerned when she did not come out of her room and called paramedics as a precaution," Honig said.

"Lindsay was examined and is fine, but did suffer some exhaustion and dehydration. ... She is resting now and is hoping to be back on set later this afternoon."

Lohan has a history of drug and alcohol addiction but has said in recent months she is committed to her sobriety.