US & World News, Tuesday 4/15

US & World Summary --- Pope Leaves Rome For Visit To U.S. (Rome) -- Pope Benedict the 16th is making his way to America. A specially chartered Alitalia Boeing 777 left Romes Fiumicino airport today on a flight to Washington, DC where the Pope will be met by President Bush. Bush will also receive the Pope at an official welcoming ceremony at the White House tomorrow, when the Pontiff turns 81. The trip is Benedicts first to the U.S. since he was elected pope in 2005. He ends the trip on Sunday after visiting Ground Zero, the site of the World Trade Center towers destroyed in the 9-11 attacks. --- Northwest, Delta Plan To Merge (Atlanta, GA) -- Northwest Airlines and Delta have plans to create the worlds largest airline as carriers look for ways to offset the soaring cost of jet fuel. The airlines have announced plans to merge. If given regulatory approval the new airline would operate under the Delta flag and would be headquartered in Atlanta. Delta and Northwest say the deal promises to generate a billion dollas in annual revenue and cost benefits. Industry analysts say the Delta-Northwest deal may fuel a wave of airline consolidations, perhaps starting with a United-Continental merger. --- McCain To Tackle Senior Healthcare Issues (Pittsburgh, PA) -- Senator John McCain is set to propose economic changes that include increasing drug costs for wealthy seniors. McCains economic advisers say the Republican presidential candidate will announce his proposals in a speech today in Pittsburgh. McCains advisers say the senator will propose reducing spending in the federal governments Medicare prescription drug program. His proposal would require older couples making 160-thousand-dollars to pay higher premiums for the benefit if they are enrolled in the program. --- Arizona Students Suspended For Alleged "Death List" (Florence, AZ) -- An alleged "death list" has created some major trouble for two middle school students from Florence, Arizona. The list allegedly contained the names of some K-8 elementary school students and school administrators. he list is also said to have included the name of the creator of "Barney," the purple dinosaur. The eleven-year-old boy and 12-year-old girl reportedly each had a copy of the list. The two students have been suspended from school and police say formal charges are possible. --- Boston Tunnels Need Upgrades (Boston, MA) -- Bostons 15-billion-dollar Big Dig project apparently has some problems. An independent review indicates some changes need to be made to the tunnels. The Illinois engineering firm that did the safety review says about 900 support anchors need to be replaced in the Ted Williams Tunnel. The engineers also recommend replacing about 180 additional anchors in damaged concrete and installing fire systems in two areas. The review was ordered after a fatal 2006 I-90 ceiling collapse. --- Carmelo Anthony Of Nuggets Arrested For DUI (Denver, CO) -- The attorney for Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony says the NBA star regrets his arrest on suspicion of DUI. Anthony is out on bond after he was stopped in Denver yesterday morning, when officers claim to have observed his Mercedes weaving from lane to lane with its high beams on. Once he was pulled over, Anthony reportedly failed several roadside tests. Attorney Dan Recht say Anthony cooperated after being pulled over and gave his consent for a blood test. He is due in court on May 14th. --- Group Fails To Spot Bigfoot On Four-Day Search (Mill Point, WV) -- Big Foot remains elusive and a mystery in West Virginia. Steve Willis of the Bigfoot Research Organization led about 20 legend-seekers on a four-day trek to find the creature in Pocahontas County. They completed the search on Sunday. They searched areas where there were reported previous encounters, and one area that was never been probed by any BFRO researchers. They didnt spot Bigfoot, but that doesnt mean they came away empty handed. Those on the trip said they saw tracks believed to be made by a Bigfoot female and a younger Bigfoot. (Copyright 2008 by Newsroom Solutions) RNS-04-15-08 0744CDT