TMCnet News
AP U.S. NewsBrief at 1:27 p.m. EDT(Associated Press Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) East struggles to recover from IreneNEWFANE, Vt. (AP) _ Only one flooded Vermont town remained cut off from the outside world Wednesday, but National Guard helicopters were still dropping food and water on storm-ravaged parts of the state as the Eastern seaboard struggled to recover from hurricane-turned-tropical-storm Irene. About 2 million people remained without power in water-logged homes and businesses from North Carolina through New England, where the storm has been blamed for at least 45 deaths in 13 states. Raging floodwaters continued to ravage parts of northern New Jersey on Wednesday morning, even after the state's rain-swollen rivers crested and slowly receded. Government sues to block AT&T, T-Mobile mergerWASHINGTON (AP) _ The Justice Department filed suit Wednesday to block AT&T's $39 billion deal to buy T-Mobile USA on grounds that it would raise prices for consumers. The government contends that the acquisition of the No. 4 wireless carrier in the country by No. 2 AT&T would reduce competition. OK seen for Giffords to use donations for securityWASHINGTON (AP) _ The Federal Election Commission is expected to rule Thursday that Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' campaign can use donations to make $2,200 worth of security improvements to her family's Houston home. The Arizona Democrat was shot in January while meeting with constituents in Tucson. She's undergoing outpatient therapy in Houston. Obama to address Congress next week on jobsWASHINGTON (AP) _ President Barack Obama will lay out his jobs plan in a primetime address next week to a joint session of Congress, the White House said Wednesday. Obama sent a letter to House Speaker John Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid asking to speak to both chambers on Sept. 7 at 8 p.m. Inside the spy unit that NYPD says doesn't existNEW YORK (AP) _ Working with the CIA, the New York Police Department maintained a list of "ancestries of interest" and dispatched undercover officers to monitor Muslim businesses and social groups, according to new documents that offer a rare glimpse inside an intelligence program the NYPD insists doesn't exist. The documents add new details to an Associated Press investigation that explained how undercover NYPD officers singled out Muslim communities for surveillance and infiltration. Mel Gibson to pay ex $750K to settle custody caseLOS ANGELES (AP) _ Mel Gibson will pay $750,000 to his ex-girlfriend and continue to provide housing and financial support for their young daughter to resolve a bitter, long-running legal fight, a judge said Wednesday. The settlement is intended to end the bickering and accusations that have permeated the case handled in mostly secret proceedings for more than a year, Superior Court Judge Peter Lichtman said. CDC: Half of Americans have a sugary drink dailyATLANTA (AP) _ Health officials say half of Americans drink a soda or sugary beverage each day _ and some are downing an awful lot. A new study found that one in 20 drinks the equivalent of more than four cans of soda each day. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention research also showed teenage boys drink the most soda, sports drinks and other sugary liquids. FEMA chief: Aid won't be hindered by money issuesWASHINGTON (AP) _ The head of the federal disaster assistance agency says recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Irene will proceed regardless of a dwindling emergency fund. Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator Craig Fugate tells CBS's "The Early Show" a drawdown in assistance funds will have no negative impact on the agency's efforts to help stricken Eastern Seaboard states. Irene delays opening of schools across EastWHITMAN, Mass. (AP) _ Parents may be ready to send their kids back to school, but some schools aren't ready to take them back. Power failures, flooding, road closures and other problems left by Irene have led some superintendents in New England and elsewhere in the East to delay the start of school. Colorado logger cuts off toes after foot is pinnedDENVER (AP) _ A 61-year-old retired logger feared he might die alone in a remote Colorado forest after his right foot was pinned under his six-ton trailer. With few choices, he used a 3-inch pocket knife to cut off all five toes to get free. "It hurt so bad," Jon Hutt said, "I would cut for a while and then I had to rest." (c) 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |