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AP Top News at 3:15 p.m. EDT(AP Online Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Obama accuses McCain of wanting to cut MedicareROANOKE, Va. (AP) _ Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said Friday that Republican rival John McCain wants to cut $882 billion from Medicare over a decade to finance his health care plan and the result would be more costly drugs, diminished services and lower quality care for seniors. "It's entirely consistent with Sen. McCain's record during his 26 years in Congress where, time and again, he's opposed Medicare," Obama said. "In fact, Sen. McCain has voted against protecting Medicare 40 times." Stocks gain as credit markets show signs of easingNEW YORK (AP) _ Wall Street turned higher Friday as strains in the credit markets showed signs of easing and investors sought bargains among stocks that were pounded lower in selloffs earlier in the week. The major indexes all posted moderate advances after wobbling through the first half of the session. The market was uneasy after the government said new home construction dropped by more than expected last month to the lowest pace since early 1991. But investors' mood seemed to pick up as lending rates for bank-to-bank loans eased, indicating some bank fears about not being repaid by borrowers is easing. Demand for safe-haven investments like Treasury bills also decreased. Iraq's PM slams top US soldier over Iran commentsBAGHDAD (AP) _ Iraq's prime minister slammed America's top military commander in the country in remarks aired Friday, saying he "risked his position" when he said Iran sought to bribe lawmakers to vote against a U.S.-Iraq security agreement. Gen. Ray Odierno made the comments in an interview published Monday in the Washington Post, though he said he did not have definitive proof of the bribes. "The American commander has risked his position when he spoke in this tone and has regrettably complicated relations," Nouri al-Maliki told a group of visiting Kuwaiti journalists in an interview shown on Iraq's state television. Palin keeps up attacks on ACORN voter registrationWEST CHESTER, Ohio (AP) _ Vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin on Friday kept up the Republican ticket's attack on a community activist group that registers voters and cited an Ohio plumber's encounter with Democrat Barack Obama as indicative of his tax policies. Campaigning in one of the swing state's conservative strongholds, Palin said Obama hasn't been forthcoming about his ties to ACORN, the Association of Community Activists for Reform Now. The group faces allegations of voter registration fraud in Ohio and other states. Obama has said he doesn't have any significant links to the group. Stevens: Allen lied about his house redo knowledgeWASHINGTON (AP) _ Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens called the government's star witness in his corruption trial a liar, saying Friday he never tried to hide gifts and thousands of dollars in free work on his house from a crooked businessman. The Senate's longest-serving Republican is charged with lying on Senate financial disclosure documents about more than $250,000 in renovations and other gifts he received from oil services contractor Bill Allen. Killer gets life for killing Vt. college studentBURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) _ Berated as "evil" and "the lowest of the low," a man convicted of killing a college senior after a chance encounter was sentenced Friday to life without parole, despite proclaiming his innocence to the end. Brian L. Rooney, a 38-year-old construction worker and father of three, fought back tears as he expressed condolences to the mother and father of Michelle Gardner-Quinn but said he wasn't her killer. "I am so sorry for what you are going through, but I am not the man responsible for this tragic event. And it saddens me to have to tell you that," he said. Government declares beluga whale endangeredWASHINGTON (AP) _ The federal government on Friday placed the beluga whales in Alaska's Cook Inlet under the protection of the Endangered Species Act, concluding that a decade-long recovery program has failed to ensure their survival. "In spite of protections already in place, Cook Inlet beluga whales are not recovering," said James Balsiger, acting assistant administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Four Tops frontman Levi Stubbs dies at 72DETROIT (AP) _ Four Tops lead singer Levi Stubbs, who possessed one of the most dynamic and emotive voices of all the Motown singers, died Friday at 72. He had been ill recently and died in his sleep at the Detroit house he shared with his wife, said Dana Meah, the wife of a grandson. The Wayne County medical examiner's office also confirmed the death. With Stubbs in the lead, the Four Tops sold millions of records, including such hits as "Baby I Need Your Loving," "Reach Out (I'll Be There)" and "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)." Man sues Fla. strip club over dancer's flying shoeFORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) _ An angry wife or girlfriend might not be the only thing to worry about when visiting a strip club. A man suing a Pompano Beach club claims a performer's shoe flew off during a pole dance, shattered the mirrored ceiling and caused glass and the shoe to hit him. The lawsuit filed in Broward County by 35-year-old Charles Privette says the Booby Trap breached its duty when its employee failed to perform her routine in a reasonably safe manner. The suit seeks at least $15,000 in damages. Cowboys still aren't saying whether Romo will playIRVING, Texas (AP) _ Tony Romo stood and watched, basically a spectator in the middle of the field when the Dallas Cowboys started practice Friday. The team still isn't saying whether Romo will play with a broken pinkie on his throwing hand. But the two-time Pro Bowl quarterback didn't do much when reporters were allowed to watch the early portion of the Cowboys' last practice before Sunday's game at St. Louis. Romo's right hand was wrapped, a fabric covering whatever protective device being used to apparently stabilize the pinkie, with only the tips of three fingers exposed. His index finger and thumbs were free. Copyright ? 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |