$1.1 trillion budget wins approval in House
WASHINGTON – A $1.1 trillion spending bill for operating the government until just before next fall’s election steamed through the battle-weary House on Wednesday over tepid protests from tea party conservatives, driven by a bipartisan desire to restore painful cuts in domestic and defense programs and show disaffected voters that Congress can do its job.
The bill swept through the House on a 359-67 vote and was on track for a big Senate vote by week’s end. Republicans voted for the bill by a 2½-1 margin, and just three Democrats were opposed.
Tea party Republicans, chastened after sparking a 16-day partial shutdown of the government in October in a kamikaze attempt to derail President Barack Obama’s health-care law, appeared resigned to the bill.
Danish woman raped, beaten in New Delhi
NEW DELHI – A 51-year-old Danish tourist was gang-raped near a popular shopping area in New Delhi after she got lost and approached a group of men for directions back to her hotel, police said Wednesday.
Police spokesman Rajan Bhagat said two people were arrested after a daylong search for the suspects. Details were not immediately available.
The woman also was robbed and beaten in the attack, which happened Tuesday near Connaught Place, Bhagat said.
The woman, whose name was not released, was on her way back to Denmark, a Danish consular official said.
Associated Press
