Reuters
Wednesday, November 9, 2005; 10:33 PM

Bush condemns Jordan attacks, offers aid in manhunt

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President George W. Bush condemned Wednesday's suicide bombings in Jordan as "barbaric acts" and pledged U.S. support in the hunt for those responsible. "Today's terrorist bombings in Amman were cowardly attacks on innocent Jordanians and their guests," Bush said in a statement issued by the White House.

Democrats scrutinize Alito in Vanguard case

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senate Democrats on Wednesday stepped up their scrutiny of Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito's role in a 2002 case that they say could pose a possible conflict of interest. When Alito became a federal appeals court judge in 1990, he promised to recuse himself from cases involving Vanguard mutual funds, because he had personal investments through the company. Yet he participated in a case decided in 2002 involving Vanguard.

US House backs bill to improve court protection

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill on Wednesday to increase penalties for crimes against judges, lawyers and other courthouse personnel and help state and local governments improve court security. The "Secure Access to Justice and Court Protection" legislation was approved 375-45. The White House generally supports the bill, although it would like to see some changes if the Senate takes up companion legislation.

US House suspends push for Alaska oil drilling

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives abandoned, at least temporarily, a drive to open Alaska's National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling after concluding on Wednesday the initiative was threatening passage of a huge bill to cut spending. "ANWR and OCS will be out" of the legislation, said House Budget Committee Chairman Jim Nussle, an Iowa Republican.

Schwarzenegger defeated in vote but may fight again

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Arnold Schwarzenegger picked the fight and emerged badly bloodied, but supporters say the governor can come back strong in his attempt to change California politics after Tuesday's special election. The vote he called shaved 20 points off Schwarzenegger's popularity rating in polls over the year and cost $300 million in campaign spending, including $7 million of his own money.

Democrat wins signal trouble for Bush

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrats on Wednesday celebrated hard-fought wins in governors' races in Virginia and New Jersey that underlined the political troubles of President George W. Bush and Republicans heading into next year's congressional elections. Democrats retained governor's offices in conservative Virginia and Democratic-leaning New Jersey on Tuesday after sometimes nasty campaigns. They also dealt California's Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger an across-the-board defeat on four ballot initiatives he had championed.

State insurance chiefs urge U.S. disaster fund

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Gulf coast state insurance commissioners urged lawmakers on Wednesday to create a national catastrophe insurance fund, saying it was needed to backstop insurers against future devastating losses and preserve coverage. Without such a fund to help them absorb losses from future disasters, insurers will cut back risk coverage to mitigate risks, the regulators from the hurricane-prone states of Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Texas told the House Financial Services subcommittee on insurance.

U.S. House panel eases pension reform timeline

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. companies would get another year, until 2007, before they have to start following stricter pension funding rules under legislation approved on Wednesday by a U.S. House panel. The House Ways and Means Committee approved the bill by a vote of 23-17. It aims to repair the huge underfunding of many traditional pensions and avoid a possible taxpayer bailout of the federal agency that insures pensions, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. (PBGC).

Oil execs defend profits at Senate

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Under fire for high fuel prices, five major oil companies on Wednesday warned the U.S. Senate against levying a windfall profits tax and showed little interest in donating money to help poor Americans pay winter heating bills. The companies, which earned a collective $30 billion in the third quarter, also surprised lawmakers at a Senate hearing by saying they didn't need the billions of dollars in tax breaks and energy incentives recently approved by Congress.

Auction of JFK memorabilia planned in New York

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A treasure-trove of John F. Kennedy memorabilia will be auctioned next month ranging from the watch he wore to his 1961 presidential inauguration to his doodles during talks on the Cuban missile crisis. The private collection of Robert White, who began collecting Kennedy artifacts in the 1950s, represents most of the nearly 2,000 items that will be put up for sale from December 15 to 17 at the Park Avenue Armory by Guernsey's auctioneers.