Nation briefs 10/7/04

Court: Limbaugh medical records properly seized

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- A Florida appeals court ruled Wednesday that prosecutors did not violate Rush Limbaugh's privacy rights when they paid a surprise visit to his doctors and seized his medical records for an investigation into his use of painkillers. Investigators raided the doctors' offices last November to see if the conservative radio commentator had engaged in "doctor shopping," or illegally visiting several doctors to receive duplicate prescriptions.

Senate OKs intelligence group reorganization

WASHINGTON -- The Senate on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved a massive reorganization of the United States intelligence community to address the Sept. 11 commission's complaints that the nation's spy agencies don't work together properly to deter terrorist attacks The bill, approved on a 96-2 vote, would create a national counterterrorism center and also a position of national intelligence director who would coordinate most of the nation's nonmilitary intelligence agencies.

U.S. finds no evidence of missing Navy pilot

WASHINGTON -- No clues to the fate of missing Navy pilot Capt. Michael Scott Speicher have surfaced since a U.S. search team left Iraq in May, a senior U.S. officer said Wednesday. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Joseph J. McMenamin, military commander of the Iraq Survey Group, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that results of the effort in Iraq have been turned over to the Defense Intelligence Agency, which is writing a report on the 13-year Speicher case.

House passes DNA testing bill

WASHINGTON -- Rape victims and convicted felons would have greater access to DNA testing under legislation the House passed Wednesday. The bill would provide $755 million in grants over the next five years to clear the backlog of some 350,000 untested DNA samples in rape evidence kits, and an additional $350 million to improve legal representation in death penalty cases. Similar legislation is stalled in the Senate, where negotiators have struggled to get a deal before Congress adjourns at the end of the week. The House vote was 393-14.

Ethics panel rebukes DeLay twice this week

WASHINGTON -- The House ethics committee Wednesday criticized House Majority Leader Tom DeLay for conduct that appeared to link political donations to legislation and for improperly contacting U.S. aviation authorities for political purposes, House sources said Wednesday. The committee's findings were an extraordinary second rebuke of the Texas Republican's ethical conduct in just six days.

-- From wire reports

Credit-card-sized shotgun debuts in Minn.

MINNEAPOLIS -- In a new twist on the idea of concealed weapons, a local gun maker and gun shop are debuting a new type of firearm: one that could almost fit in your wallet. It's a two-shot weapon made from a piece of metal the height and width of a standard credit card, and about a half-inch thick. Each barrel fires seven standard steel BBs. It will retail for $100.

Scientists create genetic map of cattle

WASHINGTON -- For the first time, scientists have created a genetic map of a cow, providing researchers a new tool to reduce animal disease and improve the nutrition of beef and dairy products, the Agriculture Department announced Wednesday. The announcement was a major development in the $53 million international project to sequence the genome of different breeds of cattle.

Corporate tax bill heads to Senate, House

WASHINGTON -- A major rewrite of corporate tax law that would end a nasty trade dispute with Europe won approval Wednesday from congressional negotiators after House Republicans beat back efforts to increase regulation of tobacco. The measure would repeal a tax break for thousands of American exporters that has been ruled illegal by the World Trade Organization. As a replacement, the proposal offers more than $140 billion in tax breaks for a wide range of businesses, from multinational companies to bow and arrow makers.

-- From wire reports