the u.s. navy is sending war ships close to disputed islands in the south china sea for the second time this year. two guided missile destroyers sailed within 12 nautical miles of the islands. navy officials call it a freedom of navigation operation. china has yet to respond, but after a similar incident in january, officials there promised to take necessary action to protect china's sovereignty. republican congressman walter jones of north carolina has died. jones spent 34 years in the state legislature and congress. he's probably best known for his about-face on the 2003 invasion of iraq. he initially supported it and then became a fierce critic of an unnecessary war. the congressman's office says he was placed in hospice when his health declined after breaking his hip last month. he died on his 76th birthday.