Citizen Cartwright

More Democrats are threatening 'no' votes on the debt limit

Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad, D-N.D., is among them, saying he won't vote for a long-term extension of the limit unless it includes a deficit-reduction plan.

It's the latest illustration of the way the Tea-Party-infused GOP is driving the debate over federal spending, The Washington Post says.

At the same time, only 16 percent of Americans back lifting the debt ceiling, according to a Wall Street Journal/NBC survey. Nearly six in 10 independents are against it, and nearly half of Democrats say they don't know enough to have an opinion.

Budget cuts at 'critical' moment in Afghan war

Three big development programs to support the U.S. military strategy in southern Afghanistan have been delayed, in part because of congressional cuts.

“Our flank is exposed” without these programs, says one senior U.S. officer in Afghanistan.

Government proposes guidelines on food ads aimed at children

The Federal Trade Commission's proposal Thursday is intended to combat obesity, which the agency says is "the most serious health crisis facing today’s youth."

Budget cuts and the search for extraterrestrial life

The Allen Telescope Array, a "powerful tool" in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, has been shut down as a result of a drop in federal and state funding.

The SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) Institute, which runs the array, is asking for $5 million in donations to keep the search for "cosmic company" going.

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Arizona governor signs bill making Colt revolver the state's gun

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'Urgent' need to research cancer among minorities

Study: Thyroid drug increases risk of fractures in the elderly

$50 eye drug is equal to $2,000 dose, researchers say

No U.N. agreement on Syria

Russia, China and Lebanon opposed on Wednesday a draft Security Council statement condemning the Syrian government's violent crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrations.

Meanwhile, about 200 members of Syria's ruling Baath party are reported to have resigned over the crackdown, the BBC reports.

Panetta, Petraeus and the militarization of U.S. intelligence

President Obama's expected announcement on Thursday that CIA Direcor Leon Panetta will replace departing Defense Secretary Robert Gates and that Gen. David Petraeus will take over as CIA chief is the latest evidence of the blurring of lines between soldiers and spies in secret U.S. missions overseas, The New York Times says.

Panetta has accelerated the transformation of the spy agency into a paramilitary organization, and Petraeus has used Special Operations troops and private security contractors to spy.

The nomination of Petraeus has some CIA veterans "grumbling" about a career military officer taking charge of an agency with a long tradition of civilian leadership, The Washington Post reports.

What global warming means for Europe's climate

Changes to a largely overlooked ocean current near the southern tip of Africa could keep Europe warm even if the Gulf Stream switches off because of climate change, scientists report in the journal Nature.

Saturday is National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day

With more Americans abusing prescription drugs than cocaine, heroin and hallucinogenic drugs combined, the government has scheduled for April 30 the second take-back day to collect people's unused medications.

Click here to find a collection site near you.

On the first take-back day in October, Americans turned in more than 242,000 pounds of prescription drugs.

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Obama’s release of birth certificate doesn't satisfy some birthers

Oklahoma Senate approves Arizona-like immigration bill

Nevada governor names Rep. Heller to replace Ensign

NASA braces for Giffords, Obamas, huge crowd for Friday launch

Simple quiz speeds diagnosis of autism in babies

Study: Armadillos transmit leprosy to humans in southern U.S.