International news briefs

Toyota cast doubt Monday on a California man’s claim that his Prius sped out of control, saying the report is inconsistent with the findings of the company’s preliminary investigation.

Toyota said in a statement that the accelerator pedal was tested and found to be working normally and a backup safety system worked properly. The automaker said the front brakes showed severe wear and damage from overheating, but the rear brakes and parking brake were in good condition.

The motorist, James Sikes, said his car raced to 94 mph on a freeway near San Diego last week.

RALEIGH, N.C.

Edwards’ mistress talks

The mistress of former presidential candidate John Edwards says she is helping him live “a life of truth” and the two remain in love even after their affair helped trigger his downfall from the pinnacle of U.S. politics.

“Everyone talks about how Johnny has fallen from grace,” Rielle Hunter told GQ magazine in an interview released Monday. “In reality, he’s fallen to grace.”

In her first public comments since she became known as Edwards’ other woman in 2008, Hunter didn’t provide any details of their status but said Edwards is a great father who wants to be there full-time for their daughter, now 2.

JERUSALEM

U.S. makes Israeli demands

The Obama administration is demanding that Israel call off a contentious building project in east Jerusalem and make a public gesture toward the Palestinians to help defuse one of the worst U.S.-Israeli feuds in memory, officials on both sides said Monday.

But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu showed little sign of yielding, saying Jewish construction in east Jerusalem “in no way” hurts Palestinians. A Jerusalem spokesman suggested building there would continue.

Announcement of the plan to build 1,600 apartments for Jews in the Ramot Shlomo neighborhood came during Vice President Joe Biden’s visit last week, embarrassing him and the Obama administration, angering Palestinians and endangering the start of indirect peace negotiations.

DUBLIN

Irish cardinal won’t resign

Ireland’s senior Roman Catholic, Cardinal Sean Brady, said Monday he would not resign, despite admitting he helped the church collect evidence against a child-molesting priest — and never told police about the crimes.

Brady, as a priest and Vatican-trained canon lawyer in 1975, said he interviewed two children about the abuse they suffered at the hands of the Rev. Brendan Smyth. He said both children were required to sign oaths promising not to tell anyone outside the church.

Smyth went on to molest and rape scores of other children in Ireland, Britain and the United States before British authorities in neighboring Northern Ireland demanded his arrest in 1994. Brady admitted his role in gathering evidence against Smyth because he has been named as a defendant in a current Dublin lawsuit filed by one of Smyth’s female victims.

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