Overtaxed Midwest levees...Surveillance bill deal...Pregnancy pact

FOLEY, Mo. (AP) At least four more levees are in danger of giving way in Lincoln County, Missouri, in the face of rising water along the Mississippi River. An emergency official says 90 percent of the levees in the eastern part of the county are overflowing.

Three gave way Thursday.

CAPITOL HILL (AP) The White House says it backs the big war-funding bill passed by the House Thursday. It includes emergency flood relief for the Midwest. The bill, which now goes to the Senate, would also expand college aid for veterans and extend jobless benefits.

CAPITOL HILL (AP) A deal has been struck in Congress on a compromise surveillance bill. It would effectively shield telecommunications companies from civil lawsuits stemming from wiretaps they helped the government with after Nine-Eleven. House approval is expected Friday.

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AP) A suicide bomber has reportedly detonated in southern Afghanistan as a military convoy passed by.

The provincial police chief says 10 civilians were killed. There's no word on whether any troops were hurt.

GLOUCESTER, Mass. (AP) High school officials in Gloucester (GLAH'-stur), Massachusetts, have confirmed to Time magazine that a group of girls agreed to intentionally get pregnant and raise their babies together. The pact is at least partly blamed for a spike in pregnancies at the school to 17.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 06-20-08 0044CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list