Home stretch for health-care bill?

Home stretch for health-care bill?

WASHINGTON

Under White House pressure to act swiftly, House and Senate Democratic leaders reached for agreement Friday on President Barack Obama’s health-care bill, sweetened suddenly by fresh billions for student aid and a sense that breakthroughs are at hand.

“It won’t be long” before lawmakers vote, predicted Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

White House officials said Obama would delay his departure on an Asian trip for three days — until March 21 — and he will go to Strongsville, Ohio next week for a campaign-style pitch for his health-care proposals.

43 die in Pakistan suicide bombings

LAHORE, Pakistan

Two suicide bombers killed 43 people in near-simultaneous blasts Friday, the fourth major attack in Pakistan this week and a clear sign that militants have the power to strike targets despite months of army offensives and U.S. missile strikes.

The twin bombings, which also wounded about 100 people, raised fears of a new wave of attacks by Islamic militants.

Chinese official to Google: Obey laws

BEIJING

China’s top Internet regulator insisted Friday that Google must obey its laws or “pay the consequences,” giving no sign of a possible compromise in their dispute over censorship and hacking.

“If you want to do something that disobeys Chinese law and regulations, you are unfriendly, you are irresponsible and you will have to pay the consequences,” Li Yizhong, the minister of Industry and Information Technology, said.

Sen. Reid’s wife has surgery on neck

FALLS CHURCH, Va.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s wife underwent surgery Friday to stabilize serious injuries suffered when a tractor-trailer rear-ended the minivan she and their daughter were riding in on an interstate highway.

The surgery successfully stabilized 69-year-old Landra Reid’s broken neck, said intensive-care physician Elizabeth Franco, one of the doctors at Inova Fairfax Hospital who is treating Mrs. Reid, who also suffered a broken back and broken nose.

Doctors hope to have Mrs. Reid up and walking in the next day or two, Franco said.

Her daughter, Lana Barringer, 49, was released from the hospital Thursday night.

Government warns about baby slings

WASHINGTON

The government warned Friday that those chic baby slings that hip moms and dads are sporting these days can be dangerous, even deadly, for their little ones.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission said it has investigated at least 13 deaths associated with sling-style infant carriers over the last 20 years, including three deaths last year. One other case involving a fatality is still being investigated. Twelve of the deaths involved babies younger than 4 months of age, the agency said.

The commission is advising parents and caregivers to be cautious when using infant slings for babies younger than 4 months.

CPSC said slings can pose a suffocation hazard.

Officials: Cabbies ripped off customers

NEW YORK

New York City officials have discovered a widespread scam in which thousands of taxi drivers overcharged passengers by more than $8.3 million.

The Taxi and Limousine Commission said Friday that it had found at least 1.8 million trips over the past two years where passengers were ripped off.

Officials say drivers overcharged by illegally setting their meters at a rate they are supposed to use for trips to the suburbs. That rate is double the cost within city limits.

Associated Press