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AP Top News at 12:30 p.m. EDT(Associated Press Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Obama didn't ask abortion views, Sotomayor saysWASHINGTON (AP) _ Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor declined repeatedly at Senate confirmation hearings Wednesday to disclose her views on abortion rights, and said President Barack Obama never asked her about the issue before he chose her for the bench. "I can't answer ... because I can't look at it in the abstract," she told Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., as he sought to draw her out with questions about hypothetical cases. Senate health committee clears insurance overhaulWASHINGTON (AP) _ The Senate health committee cast a milestone vote Wednesday to approve legislation expanding insurance coverage to nearly all Americans, becoming the first congressional panel to act on President Barack Obama's top domestic priority. The 13-10 party line vote advanced a $600 billion measure that would require individuals to get health insurance and employers to contribute to the cost. Democratic leaders are driving for floor votes in the House and Senate before Congress goes on its August break. 168 killed in Iran plane crashTEHRAN, Iran (AP) _ A Russian-made Iranian passenger plane carrying 168 people crashed shortly after takeoff Wednesday, smashing into a field northwest of the capital and shattering into flaming pieces. All on board were killed in Iran's worst air disaster in six years, officials said. Before crashing, the plane's tail was on fire as it circled in the air, one witness told The Associated Press. Consumer prices jump, industrial production fallsWASHINGTON (AP) _ Consumer prices shot up in June by the largest amount in 11 months, reflecting the biggest jump in gasoline prices in nearly five years. The Labor Department said Wednesday that inflation at the consumer level rose by 0.7 percent last month, slightly higher than the 0.6 percent increase that economists were expecting. It was the biggest one-month gain since a 0.7 percent increase last July. Israeli soldiers say reckless force used in GazaJERUSALEM (AP) _ More than two dozen Israeli soldiers who fought in the Gaza war say the military forced Palestinians to serve as human shields and used reckless firepower that caused needless deaths, according to a report released Wednesday. One of the soldiers said the army needlessly used powerful weapons such as mortars and white phosphorous, an illuminating agent that can cause severe burns, in the three-week offensive last winter. Strong results at Intel pull stocks sharply higherNEW YORK (AP) _ Investors are betting on the economy again. Strong earnings and an upbeat forecast from Intel Corp. pulled investors into the stock market Wednesday as hopes grew that the economy could be starting to recover. The chip maker's results signal that computer sales are picking up faster than had been expected. 7.8 quake strikes off NZ; small tsunami generatedWELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) _ A 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck off New Zealand's western coast Wednesday generating a small tsunami. No injuries or major damage were reported. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii warned that a tsunami was generated, but it later said the waves were less than 8 inches (20 centimeters) in height and the warning was canceled after about an hour. Coroner's official seeks records from Jackson docBEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) _ A county coroner's official visited the office of Michael Jackson's dermatologist on Tuesday to follow up on a subpoena seeking additional medical records. Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter said outside the Beverly Hills office of Arnold Klein that the doctor had been cooperating in the investigation. Oldest woman to give birth dies, leaving twinsMADRID (AP) _ A Spanish woman who deceived a U.S. fertility clinic about her age and become the oldest woman to give birth has died at 69, leaving behind 2-year-old twins, newspapers reported Wednesday. Maria del Carmen Bousada gave birth in December 2006 after telling a clinic in Los Angeles that she was 55, the facility's maximum age for single women receiving in-vitro fertilization. Guinness World Records said the 66-year-old was the oldest on record to give birth and the case ignited fierce debate over how much responsibility fertility clinics have over their patients. Phillies sign 3-time Cy Young winner MartinezPHILADELPHIA (AP) _ Pedro Martinez is returning to the major leagues. Martinez agreed to a contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Wednesday. The team put the three-time Cy Young winner on the 15-day disabled list with a mild shoulder strain. It has not been determined when he will begin a rehab assignment. (c) 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |