washington, d.c.
Democrats who support gun rights teamed with House Republicans yesterday to block local governments and law enforcement agencies from gaining routine access to gun-purchasing data. The House Appropriations Committee defeated two attempts by gun control advocates to strip limits on the use of information from federal firearms agents tracing gun sales. The votes were a victory for the National Rifle Association. (AP)
Report: Al Qaeda ramping up efforts
Al Qaeda is stepping up its efforts to sneak operatives into the United States and has acquired most of the capabilities it needs to strike here, according to a new US intelligence assessment. The draft report is expected to paint a more worrisome portrait of the terrorist group's ability to launch attacks against the United States. Yet the analysts concluded that US soil has become a harder target because of counterterrorism efforts (AP)
Teen birth rate continues to drop
Teen birth rates continued their 15-year decline in 2005, as adolescents got increasingly into the habit of using condoms during sexual intercourse. Generally, the report by the National Center for Health Statistics told a story of decreased sexual activity and pregnancy among teens. Since the late 1990s, however, the number of children born to unmarried women in their 20s rose significantly. (Washington Post)
new jersey
Newark's mayor faces graft charges
NEWARK -- Sharpe James, mayor for 20 years, was indicted yesterday on corruption charges alleging he spent city money on himself and several women and helped a friend make more than $500,000 on the fraudulent sale of city land. James, 71, is accused of using city credit cards for over $58,000 in personal expenses. (AP)
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