Nation & World

<< Previous   of   Next >> Associated Press  (click to enlarge) Deborah Jeane Palfrey.   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Do you have a news tip? newstips@heraldnet.com | 425.339.3400   Published: Friday, May 2, 2008 Nation, World Briefs: Congress approves ban on genetic discrimination WASHINGTON -- Congress sent President Bush a bill Thursday forbidding employers and insurance companies from using genetic tests showing people are at risk of developing cancer, heart disease or other ailments to reject their job applications, promotions or health care coverage, or in setting premiums. Bush was expected soon to sign the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, which lawmakers and advocates called "the first major civil rights act of the 21st century." Federal law already bans discrimination by race and gender. Virginia: Congressman arrested A Republican congressman representing New York City was arrested early Thursday outside Washington and charged with driving while intoxicated, police said. Rep. Vito Fossella, 43, who represents Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn, was arrested some time between midnight and 2 a.m., a spokesman for the Alexandria Police Department said. He was charged with driving while intoxicated as a first offense, which under Virginia law requires a blood-alcohol level of 0.08 or higher. Florida: 'D.C. Madam' kills herself A woman convicted two weeks ago of being the "D.C. Madam" hanged herself Thursday, apparently making good on her vow never to go to prison for running a high-end Washington prostitution ring. The body of Deborah Jeane Palfrey was found in a shed near her mother's home about 20 miles northwest of Tampa. Police said the 52-year-old Palfrey left at least two suicide notes and other writings to her family in a notebook. Under sentencing guidelines, Palfrey faced about five to six years in prison. Hubble rescue mission delayed NASA's final visit to the Hubble space telescope has been delayed at least a month, until the fall, because of extra time needed to build the shuttle fuel tanks needed for the flight and a potential rescue mission. Atlantis and a crew of seven were supposed to fly to Hubble at the end of August, but now won't make the journey until the end of September or early October. Design changes to the external fuel tanks are taking longer than expected, a program manager said. California: Gasoline use dips 4.5% Californians cut down on their gasoline usage at the start of the year, continuing a two-year trend linked to ever-rising gas prices. Californians used 4.5 percent less gasoline in January this year than they did a year ago, according to statistics released by the Board of Equalization. The board said 1.234 billion gallons of gasoline were used statewide in January, about 58 million gallons less than the 1.292 billion gallons used in January 2007. The totals included use of aviation fuel. New rights for airline passengers Passengers stuck on grounded airplanes for more than three hours would have a right to fresh air, electricity, working rest rooms, food and water under a measure passed Thursday by the California Assembly. Legislators of all political stripes, some of whom commute several times a week by commercial airlines, passed the bill with hearty support, even though Republican legislators had been advised by their staffs to oppose it. The measure now goes to the Senate. Arizona: Grand Canyon wildfire Three Texans were charged Thursday with starting a fire than has charred more than 2,000 acres near Grand Canyon National Park. The three, two men and a woman, were camping Tuesday in the Kaibab National Forest on Tuesday when they allegedly left their campfire unattended, according to a complaint filed in federal court in Flagstaff. High winds sent embers into the nearby forest, quickly burning through more than 3 square miles of the forest. Illinois: No degree for Rev. Wright Northwestern University has withdrawn its offer of an honorary degree to the former pastor of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. A university official says the school had offered the Rev. Jeremiah Wright an honorary doctorate of sacred theology. But a vice president for university relations now says the offer has been rescinded because of the controversy surrounding Wright. He also says the school wants "to ensure that the celebratory character of commencement not be affected." Nigeria: Oil workers' strike ends A workers' strike that slashed Nigeria's oil output ended Thursday and regular production will resume, the union behind the strike said. The head of the workers' bloc at an Exxon Mobil Corp. unit in Nigeria said members would return to their stations after negotiators reached a broad accord with management. Before the strike, Nigeria was producing about 2.1 million barrels of crude each day. The strike helped drive oil prices to all-time highs. Nigeria is Africa's biggest producer and a leading supplier of crude to the United States. From Herald news services

1. Principal of Christian school in Arlington charged with child rape 2. 5 moms battle Lakewood Elementary School fire 3. Couple fight back against armed home invader 4. Traffic detoured around motorcycle accident in Lake Stevens 5. Teen burglar's own snapshot may help police catch him 6. Mill Creek teens robbed at gunpoint 7. More glory for former Snohomish High basketball coach 8. Local Briefly: Search-and-rescue teams look for hiker 9. Boeing stock plummets on analyst's downgrade 10. Transit driver has dangerous attitude 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

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