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AP U.S. NewsBrief at 11:35 a.m. EST
(Associated Press Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Powell family backing off cemetery decisionSEATTLE (AP) _ A lawyer for the parents of missing Utah mom Susan Powell says they have been told her husband will not be buried in the same cemetery as the two sons he killed in an explosive house fire. Attorney Steve Downing says he was informed by Josh Powell's estranged sister, Jennifer Graves, that her mother would put out a statement Thursday announcing the decision.
Military leaders warn of dangers of automatic cutsWASHINGTON (AP) _ Defense Secretary Leon Panetta is pleading with Congress to avert automatic, across-the-board cuts that would mean an additional half-trillion reduction in defense beginning next January. Panetta told the House Appropriations defense subcommittee Thursday that the process known as sequestration is "a crazy, nutty tool." The failure last year of the congressional supercommittee to come up with at least $1.2 trillion in cuts over the next 10 years means federal spending will be automatically reduced next year, with $492 billion in military cuts coming over a decade.
Democrats protest religious freedom hearingWASHINGTON (AP) _ Religious leaders are telling a house panel the Obama administration disregarded basic rights to religious freedom in setting policies for access to birth control insurance for employees of religious-affiliated institutions. Democrats on the Oversight and Government Reform Committee protested Thursday's hearing on Capitol Hill, saying they weren't allowed to introduce witnesses who might support the administration stance or speak up for the rights of women to reproductive health coverage.
US officials tie terror group to Syrian bombingsWASHINGTON (AP) _ Top U.S. intelligence officials told Congress Thursday that al-Qaida of Iraq was behind a series of bombings against the Syrian regime in recent months. Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said bombings against security and intelligence targets in Damascus and Aleppo, bear "all the earmarks of an al-Qaida-like attack", leading the U.S. intelligence community to believe the Iraqi militant branch is extending its reach into Syria.
Gov't to carmakers: Harness dashboard technologyWASHINGTON (AP) _ Carmakers should design potentially distracting dashboard technology so it's automatically disabled while the vehicle is in motion, federal safety officials said Thursday. In recent years automakers have been loading high-end cars with an array of built-in gadgets that enable drivers to multi-task behind the wheel _ equipment that enables text-messaging, Internet browsing, GPS navigation and phone dialing. But this technological advance has raised concerns that drivers' attention will be diverted from the road.
GOP senators unveil new Medicare overhaul planWASHINGTON (AP) _ Two Republican senators unveiled a Medicare rescue plan Thursday that features an accelerated transition to private health insurance for many seniors, a gradual increase in the eligibility age, and higher premiums for middle-class and upper-income retirees. Sens. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma and Richard Burr of North Carolina say they're not out to win a political popularity contest. Instead, they want to engage fellow policymakers and the public in a "grown-up" conversation about the scope of changes needed to preserve Medicare in some form for future generations.
Obama's budget cuts bacteria testing in produceSAN FRANCISCO (AP) _ President Barack Obama's proposed budget would eliminate the nation's only program that regularly tests fruits and vegetables for deadly pathogens, leaving public health officials without a crucial tool used to investigate deadly foodborne illness outbreaks. The budget plan the president sent to Congress Monday would ax the Agriculture Department's tiny Microbiological Data Program, which extensively screens high-risk fresh produce throughout the year for bacteria including salmonella, E. coli and listeria.
Gov't says parents need more info on apps for kidsWASHINGTON (AP) _ Federal regulators say kids have easy access to downloading hundreds of smartphone applications, but parents are in the dark about what personal information is being collected from their children and how companies are using it. The Federal Trade Commission published a staff report Thursday. It says companies that make mobile apps, and stores that sell them, should give parents basic, easily-to-understand information so parents can choose which apps children can use. The report also says developers should disclose whether their apps connect with social media services or include advertisements.
NJ gov strongly defends lowering flags for HoustonNEWARK, N.J. (AP) _ Gov. Chris Christie has strongly defended his decision to have flags flown at half-staff Saturday for Whitney Houston despite receiving emails and other messages disparaging the singer and criticizing him. The Republican governor said Wednesday that he rejects complaints that Houston "forfeited the good things that she did" because of her struggles with substance abuse.
Norovirus sickens George Washington Univ. studentsWASHINGTON (AP) _ Officials at George Washington University in Washington are alerting the campus that about 85 students have been sickened by the norovirus this week. University officials said in a statement Wednesday that norovirus was the cause of dozens of cases of gastrointestinal illness. Officials said students who live at the Foggy Bottom campus, the Mount Vernon campus and off campus were affected but that they could not find a common link.
(c) 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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