[April 22, 2008]

AP Top News at 6:36 a.m. EDT

(AP Online Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) Clinton, Obama go on attack in Pennsylvania campaign finalePHILADELPHIA (AP) _ Democrats Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama questioned each other's character and readiness to be commander in chief in last-minute television ads as the six-week Pennsylvania primary campaign steamed toward an uncertain conclusion Tuesday. The two Democratic hopefuls barnstormed the state in a final pitch for votes in the most populous and delegate-rich state remaining in the nominating contest. Some 4 million Democrats were eligible to cast ballots, with 158 delegates at stake.

With gas hitting record highs, drivers feeling squeezedNEW YORK (AP) _ Cabbies here complain their take-home pay is thinner than it used to be. Trucking companies across the country are making drivers slow down to conserve fuel. Filling station owners plead that really, really, the skyrocketing prices aren't their fault. And the rest of us? With gas prices now averaging $3.50 a gallon nationwide, according to AAA and the Oil Price Information Service, more and more Americans who have to drive are weighing the need for each and every trip.

Al-Qaida No. 2 says group still targeting the WestCAIRO, Egypt (AP) _ Osama bin Laden's chief deputy warns that al-Qaida still has plans to target Western countries involved in the Iraq war in a new audiotape released Tuesday to answer questions posed by followers. The voice in the lengthy file posted on an Islamic Web site, could not be immediately confirmed as al-Qaida No. 2 Ayman al-Zawahri's. But it sounded like past audiotapes from the terror leader.

Bush gets backing from Canada, Mexico on trade pushNEW ORLEANS (AP) _ President Bush, stymied by Congress in his final push to broaden U.S. trade, is finding a bigger blast of support from north and south of the border. The first day of a North American summit here showed off chummy relations, and markedly similar interests, among Bush and his counterparts from Mexico and Canada.

Texas officials seek DNA samples of polygamist sect membersSAN ANGELO, Texas (AP) _ Using cotton swabs and cameras, lab technicians began taking DNA samples Monday from hundreds of children and mothers _ wearing long, pioneer-style dresses _ in hopes of sorting out the tangled family relationships within the West Texas polygamist sect. A judge ordered last week that the genetic material be taken to help determine which children belong to which parents.

Struggling homeowners could get new government-backed loansWASHINGTON (AP) _ Homeowners staggering under mounting mortgage debt and facing foreclosure could get cheaper, government-backed loans under Democrats' housing rescue plan. But first, lenders would have to agree to wipe out part of their debt. And the borrowers would have to show they could afford the new mortgage. They also would have to agree to share any future profits on the home with the government.

Judge rejects fraud claim against State Farm in Katrina suitJACKSON, Miss. (AP) _ A federal judge dismissed claims of fraud in a key Hurricane Katrina lawsuit that accused State Farm Fire & Casualty Co. of using different engineering reports to deny a couple's insurance policy after the storm. The ruling Monday by U.S. District Judge L.T. Senter Jr. applied to the federal lawsuit filed by Thomas and Pamela McIntosh, who sued State Farm after the insurer blamed most of the damages to their Biloxi home on Katrina's storm surge and paid the couple $36,228. The homeowners policy excluded coverage for flood damage.

Michael Moore endorses Obama, chides ClintonLOS ANGELES (AP) _ Michael Moore wants voters in Pennsylvania to cast their ballots for Barack Obama. Moore endorsed Obama in a 1,100-word posting on his Web site Monday. It includes praise for the Illinois senator and harsh words for Hillary Rodham Clinton, the Democratic Party and the Bush administration.

Don't touch me there: NY jury rejects rectal exam lawsuitNEW YORK (AP) _ A hospital did nothing wrong when it tried to examine the rectum of a construction worker who had been hit on the head by a falling wooden beam, a jury found Monday. After deliberating for about an hour, a state Supreme Court jury awarded nothing to Brian Persaud, who sued NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital for unspecified damages. The panel found the hospital and its emergency room medical staff were not liable.

Williams, Jazz beat Rockets 90-84 to take 2-0 series leadHOUSTON (AP) _ Tracy McGrady disappeared again in the fourth quarter and the Utah Jazz took a commanding lead in their playoff series with the Houston Rockets. Deron Williams shrugged off a late injury and scored 22 points and Mehmet Okur added 16 points and 16 rebounds as the Jazz beat the Rockets 90-84 on Monday night to take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

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