US & World News, Thursday 1/31

US & World Summary: --- New ID Requirements Take Effect At Border Crossings (Detroit, MI) -- Travelers returning to the U.S. from either Canada or Mexico will need to show more identification beginning today. Under the new rules, everyone over 18 will now need a passport or a drivers license and their birth certificate to enter the United States. Those under 18 will be allowed to enter with just a birth certificate. Motorists trying to cross the border without the required travel documents will be pulled over while U.S. agents attempt to confirm their citizenship. --- Spears In Hospital, Family Fights With Lutfi (Los Angeles, CA) -- Britney Spears is hospitalized again over concerns that she may pose a danger to herself and others. The pop singer was taken by ambulance last night to UCLA Medical Center and her family is fighting with Sam Lutfi over who is making medical decisions on Spears behalf. According to TMZ.com, the pop singers parents have been being told that theyre not calling the shots when it comes to making decisions about Britneys medical care. TMZ says after the singers earlier stay this month at another hospital, she had her lawyers draw up the necessary paperwork to put Lutfi in charge in case of an emergency. --- GOP Presidential Candidates Debate Economy (Simi Valley, CA) -- Americans have lost ground economically in recent years. Thats the consensus of the four remaining Republican candidates for president. Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney, John McCain and Ron Paul talked about the economy last night during a debate in California. Huckabee said Congress also bears some of the blame, while McCain talked about the challenges concerning the housing and mortgage crisis. Romney said he wouldnt defend the Bush economy, pointing instead to what he accomplished as governor to improve the Massachusetts economy. --- Two American Airlines Flights Make Emergency Landings (Grand Junction, CO) -- Yesterday wasnt a good day for American Airlines after two jets had to make emergency landings because of smoke in the cockpit. A Newark, New Jersey, to Los Angeles flight with 110 passengers on board was forced to land in Grand Junction, Colorado, but no one was injured. Just a few hours earlier another plane en route from Puerto Rico to Philadelphia landed at a Florida airport after reports of smoke. Seven of the 138 people on board had to be taken to the hospital with nonlife-threatening injuries. --- Leyritz To Face Judge On DUI Manslaughter Charges (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) -- Former Major League Baseball player Jim Leyritz is facing DUI manslaughter charges. Hes expected to appear before a judge today in Broward County, Florida after allegedly running a red light in Fort Lauderdale last December and colliding with another car. A South Florida mother on her way home from work was killed in the crash, and tests showed that Leyritzs blood-alcohol level was nearly twice the legal limit. Leyritz could face up to 15 years in prison and have his license revoked permanently if hes convicted of the charges. --- Drew Peterson Reportedly Wants Divorce (Chicago, IL) -- Drew Peterson wants a divorce. Thats according to the "Herald News," which quotes the former Illinois police sergeant as saying he wants to divorce his missing wife, Stacy, but first he, quote, "has to see if she shows up, then wait for a year." Peterson insists his wife left him for another man, telling the newspaper, quote, "She ran off with another guy. Its that simple." Authorities still suspect Peterson had something to do with Stacys disappearance. --- Taco Bell Offers Contest To Striking Writers (Irvine, CA) -- Some striking Hollywood writers may soon have a new gig. Taco Bell is offering the striking writers the chance to write snappy sayings on the fast-food chains tiny taco sauce packets. A Taco Bell representative said they wanted to, quote, "show its support for the thousands of creative minds itching to press pen to paper, or in our case, Border Sauce packets." Writers Guild members have the chance to win free food for a year. Theyve been out on strike since November. (Copyright 2008 by Newsroom Solutions) RNS-01-31-08 0840CST