• CAIRO (AP) -- An Egyptian official says the country's border crossing with Gaza Strip in northern Sinai has been closed indefinitely, citing security concerns.
• The decision comes hours after suspected Islamic militants attacked four sites in northern Sinai, targeting two military checkpoints, a police station and el-Arish airport, where military aircraft are stationed.
• The military and security forces responded to the attacks. One soldier was killed and three were wounded.
• Gen. Sami el-Metwali said Rafah passage was shut down on Friday. He didn't say when it would be reopened. Some 200 Palestinians were turned back to the Gaza Strip after the order.
• The clashes came two days after the military's ouster of President Islamist Mohammed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood. Some Islamist elements have pledged to fight the military's move.
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• WASHINGTON (AP) -- Another solid month of hiring in June could signal the start of a stronger second half of the year for the U.S. economy.
• Economists predict that the government will report Friday that employers added 165,000 jobs last month, roughly in line with May's increase. The unemployment rate is expected to stay at a still-high 7.6 percent.
• The Labor Department will release the employment report at 8:30 a.m. EDT Friday.
• The job market and the economy have proved surprisingly resilient this year. Hiring and consumer confidence have remained steady despite higher taxes and federal spending cuts.
• Further job growth could lower the unemployment rate and help the economy rebound after a weak start this year. If growth accelerated and unemployment fell, the Federal Reserve might start to scale back its bond purchases before the year ends. The bond purchases have kept long-term interest rates low.
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