HOUSE PASSES RESOLUTION CONDEMNING THE PRESS

House passes resolutioncondemning the press
WASHINGTON -- The House on Thursday approved a Republican-crafted resolution condemning news organizations for revealing a covert government program to track terrorist financing, saying the disclosure had "placed the lives of Americans in danger." The resolution, passed 227-183 on a largely party-line vote, did not specifically name the news organizations, but it was aimed at the New York Times and other press that last week reported on a secret CIA-Treasury program to track millions of financial records in search of terrorists. Most Democrats opposed the measure, protesting language in it that asserts that the Terrorist Finance Tracking Program was "rooted in sound legal authority" and that members of Congress had been appropriately briefed on the program. "The recent front-page story in the aforementioned New York Times cut the legs out from under this program," said the Financial Services Committee chairman, Rep. Michael Oxley, R-Ohio.
Boy dies after ridingcoaster at Disney World
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- A 12-year-old boy died after riding a roller coaster Thursday at the Disney MGM theme park, the latest in a string of tragedies that have stung Walt Disney World in recent years. Michael Russell of Fort Campbell, Ky., had ridden the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster with his parents and 7-year-old brother. When the ride was finished, Byron Russell noticed Michael was limp, pulled him off the ride and performed CPR until paramedics arrived, Orange County sheriff's spokeswoman Barbara Miller said. The boy was pronounced dead after he was taken by ambulance to Celebration Hospital about 11:30 a.m., Disney said in a statement. The cause of death was not immediately determined. "According to the family, he was a very healthy child," Miller said. State officials say he is the ninth person to die at Disney World since 2003. At least 14 people have died at Disney's two theme parks in Florida and California since 1989.
U.S. House votes to endban on offshore drilling
WASHINGTON -- The House voted Thursday to end a quarter-century offshore drilling ban and allow energy companies to tap natural gas and oil beneath waters from New England to Alaska. Opponents of the federal ban argued that the nation needed to move closer to energy independence and insisted the gas and oil could be taken without threatening the environment and coastal beaches. They said a state choosing to keep the moratorium could do so. The measure was approved 232-187. But the bill's prospects in the Senate were uncertain. Florida's two senators have vowed to filibuster any legislation that would allow drilling within 125 miles of Florida's coast. Other senators from several coastal states also have strongly opposed ending the drilling restrictions.
Panel recommendsvaccinations for girls
ATLANTA -- An influential government advisory panel recommended that 11- and 12-year-old girls be routinely vaccinated against the sexually transmitted virus that causes cervical cancer. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices also said Thursday that the shots can be started for girls as young as 9, at the discretion of their doctors. Some health officials had girded themselves for arguments from conservatives that vaccinating girls against the sexually transmitted virus might make them more likely to have sex. But the controversy never materialized in the panel's hearings. Still, some conservatives expressed fear that the panel's vote might lead some states to make the vaccine mandatory for youngsters entering school. The committee's recommendations usually are accepted by federal health officials, and influence insurance coverage for vaccinations.
Space shuttle Discoveryset for Saturday launch
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- The countdown to a launch of space shuttle Discovery moved ahead Thursday with expected storm clouds remaining the chief obstacle to only the second U.S.-operated spaceflight since the Columbia tragedy. The countdown to a Saturday afternoon launch for a 12-day trip to the international space station was proceeding without any technical problems, said Pete Nicolenko, NASA test director. "At this point, we're right where we want to be, which is on schedule and tracking no significant issues," Nicolenko said. Weather was a different story. There was a 60 percent chance that thunderstorm clouds bringing lightning and isolated showers would prevent a launch Saturday, and the forecast didn't improve Sunday or Monday, said Kathy Winters, shuttle weather officer. The launch time, set for 3:49 p.m. EDT on Saturday, will be bumped up by 22 minutes with each passing day, improving the chances of avoiding Florida's volatile afternoon showers.
Associated Press