News Briefs

October 29, 1995
Web posted at: 12:50 a.m. EDT

Don't forget to 'fall' back

WASHINGTON -- Standard time returns this weekend, prompting an American ritual -- changing the clock. Remember the old adage and it's easy: Spring forward, fall back.

Technically, the change occurs at 2 a.m. Sunday, local time, which becomes 1 a.m., and an hour is repeated. Daylight- saving time returns the first Sunday in April.

There will be no change in Arizona, Hawaii, the part of Indiana in the Eastern time zone, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa, which remain on standard time all year.

Daylight time, which runs from the first Sunday in April until the last Sunday in October, resumes on April 7.

Republicans cool to Clinton debt-limit plan

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Clinton administration said Saturday it is willing to accept a temporary increase in the federal debt limit, but Republicans were cool to the idea.

The White House offered an $85 billion stop-gap measure to keep the federal government operating through mid-January. Senate Majority Leader Robert Dole, R-Kansas, said that's too long. House Speaker Newt Gingrich said he's holding out for discussions with President Clinton.

Gingrich says he's thought of quitting

ROSWELL, Georgia (CNN) -- House Speaker Newt Gingrich said Saturday he has considered calling it quits because of what he calls "vicious smears" against him. Speaking at a town hall meeting Saturday near Atlanta, he said he's particularly outraged by reports of ethics violations surrounding his book deal.

"Now there's a point here where you just kind of get fed up and say, even given the normal dishonesty and bias of the news media, at what point does it just sicken you?" Gingrich said. "And frankly, there are times where I've thought about quitting because of the routine, vicious smears."

Gingrich has come under fire for bulk sales of his book, "To Renew America," to political supporters. Gingrich denies that he's made any unethical deals.

Welfare plan could push a million children into poverty

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Senate legislation overhauling the welfare system could push a million children into poverty, according to preliminary estimates by the Health and Human Services Department.

President Clinton has shown support for the Senate plan, but his spokesman said the president is concerned about the latest estimates. Lawmakers from the House and Senate began work Tuesday on a compromise welfare plan.

Tape shows possible third suspect in federal bombing

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma (CNN) -- A federal law enforcement source said Saturday a surveillance videotape shows a third possible conspirator in the Oklahoma City bombing. The source told the Associated Press that the tape shows a shadowy figure in the passenger seat of the truck that carried the bomb. Another official said that can't be confirmed because the tape is unclear.

"There's a shape in there, but they can't see a face" in the video, the source told the AP this week. The images were videotaped minutes before the bomb went off at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building on April 19, killing 169 people.

Hundreds of stray animals abandoned

FLORALA, Alabama (CNN) -- South Alabama officials on Saturday were trying to figure out what to do with hundreds of animals abandoned by a phony charity. A veterinarian said the 900 cats and dogs were running out of food. The charity allegedly raised several hundred thousand dollars fraudulently. A near-by animal shelter was mounting a drive to collect food and money to care for the animals.