Christie knew about bridge closing, attorney says
Gov. Chris Christie knew about the politically motivated bridge closing in Fort Lee, N.J., at the time it happened, an attorney for the Port Authority official at the center of the scandal declared Friday. Christie's office stands by what the governor said in a two-hour news conference in December, at which he said he didn't know about the closing of lanes leading to the George Washington Bridge before it happened in September, and he didn't know it was anything but a traffic study until Jan. 8. Alan Zegas, attorney for former Port Authority official David Wildstein, wrote in a letter that his client "contests the accuracy of various statements that the governor made about him and he can prove the inaccuracy of some." Zegas' letter said evidence exists suggesting the governor knew about the closures as they happened in September, though it does not say what the evidence is. The Republican governor's office said the assertion that Christie knew about the closures when they happened does not contradict his statements. "He had absolutely no prior knowledge of the lane closures before they happened and whatever Mr. Wildstein's motivations were for closing them to begin with," Christie's office said in a statement.
"As he said in his Jan. 9 news conference, he had no indication that this was anything other than a traffic study until he read otherwise the morning of Jan. 8."Obama appears open to immigration compromise
President Barack Obama hinted Friday that he would be open to an immigration reform bill even if it lacks a path to citizenship for people living in the country illegally. Republicans in Congress on Thursday released a GOP proposal that would give immigrants legal status without a process for obtaining citizenship. Obama and Democratic leaders have long said they favor a plan with a path to citizenship. But in an interview Friday with CNN, Obama said, "If (House Speaker John Boehner) proposes something that says right away: Folks aren't being deported, families aren't being separated, we're able to attract top young students to provide the skills or start businesses here and then there's a regular process of citizenship, I'm not sure how wide the divide ends up being," Obama said.
As for the citizenship question, he said, "Well, you know, I'm not going to prejudge what gets to my desk." Immigration advocates said the president's comments appeared to open the door to a bipartisan compromise that could lead to a new law this year.Report sees no drawback in Keystone XL pipeline
The Keystone XL pipeline cleared an important hurdle Friday when the State Department reported no major environmental objections to the proposed $7 billion pipeline, which has become a symbol of the debate over climate change. The State Department's report says oil extracted from tar sands in Alberta generates 17 percent more greenhouse gas emissions than traditional crude, but it says other methods of transporting the oil -- including rail, trucks and barges -- would release more greenhouse gases than the pipeline. While the report doesn't recommend approving the pipeline, it gives Obama backing if he chooses to side with Republicans against environmentalists and approve it. Opponents say the pipeline would carry "dirty oil" that contributes to global warming, and they also express concern about possible spills.
UAE passes law making breast-feeding mandatory
Everyone knows breast-feeding is good for babies, but now it's not just a recommendation, it's the law. The United Arab Emirates has passed a clause under its Child Rights Law requiring new mothers to breast-feed for two years. And what if they don't? Then their husbands can sue them. What if a mother is unable to nurse for some reason? Then the government's Federal National Council will find a wet nurse for her. The Council is reportedly trying to improve the rights of working moms to make the legislation more practical, but mothers' support groups have raised some issues with the law. Marie-Claire Bakker of La Leche League said, "At this vulnerable time, to think of criminalizing a new mother who, for whatever reason, is struggling with breast-feeding is not helpful."
The Wire, a summary of top national and world news stories from the Associated Press and other wire services, moves weekdays. Contact Karl Kahler at 408-920-5023; follow him at http://ift.tt/1dwAzix.
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