US & World News, Monday 2/25

US & World Summary --- Democrats Accuse McCain Of Violating Elections Laws (Washington, DC) -- Democrats claim Senator John McCain could be violating elections laws and are asking the Federal Elections Commission to investigate. The committee says the Arizona Republican presidential candidate is ignoring the spending limit agreement McCain signed when he received federal matching funds. McCain is bound by the agreement not to spend over 56-point-eight-million-dollars but his latest campaign filing reveals he already has spent 49-point-six-million-dollars as of a month ago. --- Empty Oxygen Tanks Leads To Womans Death On Airplane (New York, NY) -- A Brooklyn woman needing oxygen while flying on American Airlines from Haiti-to-JFK Airport this weekend wasnt given any and died. The oxygen tanks found on board were empty and a defibrillator was broken. A relative says Carine Desir complained of breathing problems after finishing a meal aboard the flight Friday night. The pilot was set to divert the flight to Miami for medical help when Desir died. The flight was not diverted and continued onto New York. The medical examiner says Desir died of natural causes. --- Four Dozen People Hurt In Greyhound Bus Crash (Moscow, PA) -- More than 40 people were hurt when Greyhound bus crashed yesterday in northeastern Pennsylvania. The "Canadian Press" reported the bus left New York and was en route to Toronto when it veered off the road, rolled over a median and flipped over. Forty-one people were taken to area hospitals where they were treated and released. Two people were listed in stable condition. The cause of the accident is under investigation. --- "No Country" Took Home The Oscars (Hollywood, CA) -- At the Academy Awards show last night, "No Country For Old Men" won the biggest prize. The film took the top prize of Best Picture while Joel and Ethan Coen earned nods for Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay for their film version of Cormac McCarthys novel. In addition, "No Country" star Javier Bardem captured the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his chilling portrayal of the films sociopathic killer. "There Will Be Blood" and "La Vie En Rose" also took awards in multiple categories. --- Health Net Forced To Pay Millions By Arbitor (Los Angeles, CA) -- An arbitrator is forcing Health Net to shell out nine-million-dollars in damages to a former breast cancer patient. A California woman filed suit claiming the company canceled her chemotherapy in the middle of treatment. The "Los Angeles Times" reports Health Net is facing three more policy cancelation lawsuits in the Golden state. One of them was filed last week by Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo alleging Health Net engages in fraudulent business practices. --- Fewer Young Drivers Get License (Detroit, MI) -- Fewer 16-year-olds are getting drivers licenses than a decade ago. Thats what Federal Highway Administration statistics say. According to the "New York Times," factors contributing to the reduction include tighter state laws governing when teenagers can drive, higher prices for insurance and a shift from school-run driver education to expensive private driving academies. Other factors such as the willingness of parents to chauffeur their children and the Internet keeping kids glued to the computer screen also have had an impact. --- Georgia Man Wins Big In Lottery (Portal, GA) -- Forty-seven-year-old Robert Harris of Portal, Georgia, was the big winner of a 270-million-dollar Mega Millions lottery. The iron worker tells the "Atlanta Journal Constitution" he already has called his boss and quit. Hes also planning to move out of his trailer and drive to Atlanta today to claim his prize. Lottery officials say Harris cash prize is worth about 160-million dollars before taxes. (Copyright 2008 by Newsroom Solutions) RNS-02-25-08 0845CST