US slams Russian anti-ship missiles going to Syria

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration denounced Russia on Friday for providing Syrian President Bashar Assad’s regime with anti-ship missiles, saying the weapons would only worsen a war that Washington and Moscow have been promising to work together on stopping.

Hagel orders review of sex-abuse prevention

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Friday ordered the military to recertify all 25,000 people involved in programs designed to prevent and respond to sexual assault, an acknowledgement that assaults have escalated beyond the Pentagon’s control.

CBO: Obama budget cuts deficits $1.1T by 2023

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama’s budget would trim projected federal deficits by $1.1 trillion over the coming decade, using nearly $6 in higher revenues for every $1 in reduced spending to achieve it, Congress’ nonpartisan budget analyst said Friday.

Benghazi probe co-chair subpoenaed by House panel

WASHINGTON (AP) — The head of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee has subpoenaed the co-chairman of the independent review board that investigated last year’s attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, to answer questions about the panel’s findings behind closed doors.

Treasury officials told of IRS probe in June 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senior Treasury officials were made aware in June 2012 that investigators were looking into complaints from tea party groups that they were being harassed by the Internal Revenue Service, a Treasury inspector general said Friday, disclosing that Obama administration officials knew there was a probe during the heat of the presidential campaign.

More than 20 injured as Connecticut commuter trains collide

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (AP) — A New York-area commuter railroad says two trains have collided in Connecticut. Police say that 20 or more people were injured, but that there were no fatalities.

Idaho man charged in Uzbekistan terrorism plot

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — He was a Russian-speaking truck driver who came to Idaho nearly four years ago to join hundreds of other Uzbekistan refugees. But federal officials say in an indictment that Fazliddin Kurbanov also was teaching people to build bombs that would target public transportation.

Log: Cleveland suspect passes time pacing, staring

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A man accused of imprisoning three women in his Cleveland home for a decade spends most of his time in jail resting or asleep, with breaks for pacing, showers and cell cleaning. New jail logs released Friday also document defendant Ariel Castro thanking a guard for bringing him breakfast and wishing him a good day.

Feds: More time needed to indict Tsarnaev

BOSTON (AP) — Federal prosecutors say they’ll ask for more time to indict Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. Prosecutors said Friday they will not indict Tsranaev within the 30-day period prescribed the Federal Speedy Trial Act. Sunday marks 30 days since Tsarnaev was arrested following the April 15 bombing.

Failing Georgia student accused of faking kidnapping

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. (AP) — A college student in suburban Atlanta is accused of faking his own kidnapping to avoid telling his parents he was failing a class.

Texas Senate OKs ‘Merry Christmas’ bill

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — It’s Christmas in May in the Texas Legislature. The Texas Senate on Friday approved a bipartisan bill that aims to remove legal risks of saying “Merry Christmas” in Texas public schools.

Powerball jackpot grows to $600 million

DES MOINES, Iowa — Powerball officials say the jackpot has climbed to an estimated $600 million, making it the largest prize in the game’s history and the world’s second largest lottery prize. Lottery officials say the prize is growing quickly Friday because so many people …

Indiana hospital group removing sugary drinks

Indiana University Health, a major Indiana hospital system, is starting to remove all sugary drinks from cafeterias, vending machines and gift shops.

Farrakhan to Detroit: Investment needed in city

Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan urged Detroit’s pastors and majority black population Friday to join him in an effort to buy neglected properties and take other steps to help revitalize the struggling city where the movement started more than 80 years ago.

House chairman sees IRS errors as part of pattern

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service’s improper use of tougher scrutiny of conservative groups seeking tax-exempt status seems part of a broader pattern of intimidation and cover-ups by the Obama administration, a top House Republican said Friday.

The House Ways and Means Committee, led by …