Briefs: High court to argue case of Texas electoral maps

Nation

Washington ? A federal law says states and localities with a history of discrimination cannot change any voting procedures without first getting approval from the Justice Department or a federal court in Washington. Yet Texas is asking the Supreme Court to allow the use of new, unapproved electoral districts in this year's voting for Congress and the state Legislature.

The outcome of the high court case, to be argued this afternoon, could be another blow to a key provision of the Voting Rights Act. In 2009, the justices raised doubts about whether Southern states still should need approval in advance of voting changes more than 40 years after the law was enacted.

The case also might help determine the balance of power in the House of Representatives in 2013, with Republicans in a stronger position if the court allows Texas to use electoral districts drawn by the GOP-dominated Legislature.

Couple targeted in bomb blast in Colo.

Lafayette, Colo. ? A bomb that seriously injured two people in a Colorado town was left beside their car in a paper bag with their names written on it, police said Sunday. Allyson Stone, 44, and her husband, 59-year-old Christopher Stone, were hospitalized with burns after the explosion on Saturday.

Taiwanese parade for candidates

Taipei, Taiwan? Holding balloons and waving flags, tens of thousands of Taiwanese paraded throughout the island Sunday to support their favored presidential candidates less than a week before what is expected to be an extremely tight election.

President Ma Ying-jeou, who has improved relations with rival China during his 3 1/2 years in office, led a large crowd of supporters down a main Taipei thoroughfare.

Polls indicate that Ma is locked in a virtual dead heat with his main challenger, Tsai Ing-wen of the opposition Democratic Progressive party, ahead of Saturday's election.

Arab League to Syria: Stop violence

Beirut ? The Arab League demanded Sunday that the Syrian government stop all violence and allow more monitors in, as activists reported at least 10 more civilians, including two teenagers, were killed by regime forces.

Caracas, Venezuela? Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Sunday that his government should pull out of a World Bank-affiliated arbitration body and won't recognize its decisions.

Yemen grants president immunity

Sanaa, Yemen? Yemen's Cabinet on Sunday approved a law granting President Ali Abdullah Saleh, and anyone who has worked under him, immunity from prosecution for any crimes committed during his 33-year rule.

Excedrin, Gas-X among recalled pills

Basel, Switzerland? Novartis is recalling some bottles of Excedrin, NoDoz, Bufferin and Gas-X Sunday over concerns that the bottles could contain stray pills from other medicines, or chipped or broken tablets.

From Detroit News wire services

Source: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120109/NATION/201090328/1020/rss09

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