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AP Top News at 6:58 a.m. EDT

Immigration ruling could send message to states

PHOENIX (AP) - States that had been watching Arizona's immigration law in hopes of copying it received a rude awakening when a judge put most of the measure on hold and agreed with the Obama administration's core argument that immigration enforcement is the role of the federal government. The ruling marked a repudiation of the Arizona law as U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton indicated that the government has a good chance at succeeding in its argument that federal immigration law trumps state law. It was an important first-round victory for the government in a fight that may not be settled until the U.S. Supreme Court weighs in.

AP survey: A bleaker outlook for economy into 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. economic recovery will remain slow deep into next year, held back by shoppers reluctant to spend and employers hesitant to hire, according to an Associated Press survey of leading economists. The latest quarterly AP Economy Survey shows economists have turned gloomier in the past three months. They foresee weaker growth and higher unemployment than they did before. As a result, the economists think the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates near zero until at least next spring.

Gulf cleanup will change once oil stops for good

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - The government's point man for the Gulf spill plans to meet with coastal parish officials Thursday to talk about what's next now that the oil has stopped flowing. Retired Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen said crews are having trouble finding patches of the crude that had been washing up on beaches and coating delicate coastal wetlands since the Deepwater Horizon offshore drilling rig exploded April 20, killing 11 people.

Jury of Rangel's House peers meets in ethics case

WASHINGTON (AP) - A jury of Rep. Charles Rangel's congressional peers is ready to publicly discuss charges of ethical misdeeds. But the political discussions outside the room will be far more significant. Eight House lawmakers who will determine guilt or innocence of the former committee chairman will hold their first meeting Thursday. A number of Democrats considering calls for the New York Democrat to resign will get their first look at the allegations.

AP-Univision Poll: College dreams for Hispanics

WASHINGTON (AP) — More than 10 years have passed since she gave up her pursuit of a degree in computer science, but Yajahira Deaza still has regrets. She says she feels incomplete. She now works in customer service for a major New York bank, and her experience reflects the findings of an Associated Press-Univision poll that examined the attitudes of Latino adults toward higher education. Despite strong belief in the value of a college diploma, Hispanics more often than not fall short of that goal.

Mother Nature helping firefighters battle Cal fire

TEHACHAPI, Calif. (AP) - Cooler temperatures and calmer winds helped firefighters in their battle against the most destructive of two big wildfires that have burned homes and forced hundreds of people to evacuate mountain communities on the edge of the Mojave Desert and in the southern Sierra Nevada. A 1,436-acre blaze that chased residents from the Old West Ranch community about 10 miles south of Tehachapi was 25 percentcontained Wednesday. If the weather continued to cooperate, officials expected to have it fully contained by Friday, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection spokesman John Buchanan said.

Pakistan general balances all sides of conflict

ISLAMABAD (AP) - As the U.S. searches for an exit from Afghanistan, it is increasingly relying on Pakistan's powerful army chief to help pave the way - despite fresh allegations that spies under his command have long aided the Taliban. Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani's critical role in the Afghan conflict was reinforced this month when the civilian government extended his term by three years. Kayani, 58, is known to be popular among U.S. and NATO generals who have sought to enlist his help in battling militants along the country's border with Afghanistan.

Medvedev widens powers of KGB successor agency

MOSCOW (AP) — Russia has broadened the authority of the Federal Security Service, the KGB's main successor agency, giving it Soviet-style repressive powers in a move critics say could be used to stifle protests and intimidate government opponents. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed a law Thursday allowing the agency, known by its initials FSB, to issue warnings or detain people suspected of preparing to commit crimes against Russia's security — which could include participating in anti-government rallies. Perpetrators face fines or up to 15 days detention.

Panasonic to buy out Sanyo, Panasonic Electric

TOKYO (AP) - Panasonic is planning to take 100 percent ownership of its subsidiaries Sanyo Electric and Panasonic Electric Works in a move costing up to $9.4 billion to strengthen green businesses such as electric cars and solar panels. Japan's biggest consumer electronics maker said in a statement Thursday it will buy sharesin the two companies through a public tender offer, aiming for a complete purchase by April 2011. Shares in the target companies soared while Panasonic tumbled.

Extortion suspect's attorney to question Pitino

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino is used to answering questions from reporters. On Thursday, Pitino will face questions unlike anything he's answered at a press conference.

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