US & World News, Tuesday 2/12

US & World Summary GM Logs Largest Annual Loss For U.S. Car Company General Motors is reporting the biggest annual loss ever by an American car company. The auto maker today says it lost almost 39-billion-dollars in 2007, including a quarterly loss of 722-million-dollars during last years fourth quarter. On top of the record loss, GM says it will offer buyouts or early retirement to all 74-thousand of its hourly U.S. workers represented by the United Auto Workers. That sweeping deal would clear the way for GM to hire lower-cost replacement workers. --- Campaign Primary Focus Shifts To Potomac States (Washington, DC) -- The presidential campaign shifts to the mid-Atlantic region today. Voters in Virginia, Maryland and Washington DC head to the polls today for the so-called Potomac primaries. After scoring weekend wins in four states, Illinois Democratic Senator Barack Obama hopes to keep his momentum going. On the Republican side, Arizona Senator John McCain hopes to put more space between himself and challenger Mike Huckabee. Rain could keep some voters home today. Forecasters are calling for showers in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC with temperatures in the 40s and 50s. --- Death Penalty Sought Against Six In 9/11 Attacks (Washington,DC) -- Prosecutors want to seek the death penalty against six Guantanamo Bay detainees linked to the September 11th terrorist attacks. The Defense Department yesterday announced that criminal charges have been brought against the group. Among those charged are Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind behind the 9-11 attacks. Two of the presidential candidates agreed with the death penalty pursuit. Republican John McCain said the charges are long overdue, while Democrat Barack Obama said those charged should face the death penalty only after trials that are, quote, "above reproach." --- Officials Have Plan To Aid Homeowners Over Foreclosure People about to lose their homes may be getting some help. The Bush administration plans to announce an expanded plan today that allows lenders to help strapped homeowners by temporarily suspending foreclosures. According to an unidentified source on CNN, the "Project Lifeline" plan lets overdue homeowners suspend foreclosures for 30 days while lenders and borrowers negotiate more affordable terms. The source said the plan involves six of the largest mortgage mortgage lenders. --- Bobby Cutts Discusses Death Of Pregnant Girlfriend (Cleveland, OH) -- Bobby Cutts Jr. says he accidentally killed his girlfriend during an argument. The former Canton, Ohio police officer wept on the witness stand yesterday during his murder trial. He insisted that he didnt intend to hurt Jessie Davis during a dispute that happened while he was picking up their son from Davis home. Despite his testimony, the former police officer was grilled by prosecutors over why he wrapped Davis in a comforter, left their two-year-old son in the home alone and disposed of Davis body in a park. --- Controversial Former Pitcher Opens Up About Steroids (Atlanta, GA) -- A former major league baseball player says he used steroids without being punished. Ex-pitcher John Rocker appeared on an Atlanta radio program and admitted he used steroids for three or four years. He said Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig knew about the steroid use and ordered him to take a drug test, which he failed. Rocker says the commissioner didnt do anything to punish him after he failed that test. --- Study: Never Too Late To Adopt Healthy Lifestyle (Washington, DC) -- Its never too late to adopt a healthful lifestyle. Thats the conclusion of a 25-year study which indicates people at age 70 have a 54-percent chance of living to 90 by exercising two to four times per week, not smoking and maintaining normal body weight and blood pressure. Those who dont follow those guidelines only have a four-percent chance of reaching age 90. Researchers say genetics only play a 25 to 30-percent role in determining how long people live. (Copyright 2008 by Newsroom Solutions) RNS-02-12-08 0744CST