Shahzad's first court date later this week
NEW YORK, May 5 (UPI) -- U.S. Homeland Security officials Wednesday issued new rules requiring airlines to pay closer attention to changes in the no-fly list.
The rules came in response to the ability of accused Times Square would-be bomber Faisil Shahzad's ability to board a plane to Dubai even though his name appeared on the list.
Homeland Security told airlines changes to the no-fly list will now take effect immediately and airlines will be required to check the changes within two hours of receiving notification a high-priority name has been added, The New York Times reported. Previously airlines had 24 hours to check for changes.
Shazhad, 30, a Pakistan-born naturalized U.S. citizen, was aboard an Emirates Airlines flight to Pakistan and ticketed through to Dubai when he was arrested late Monday. He faces a variety of terrorism and weapons charges for allegedly leaving a sport utility vehicle rigged as a bomb in Times Square Saturday night.
Shazhad had been scheduled for a court appearance Tuesday but the U.S. attorney's office said it likely would be Thursday before he is arraigned because he was still being questioned by investigators, CNN reported.
Shahzad, who lives in Bridgeport, Conn., was charged Tuesday in federal court with attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction and four other explosive-related charges.
Since his arrest Monday at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, Shahzad "has provided useful information to authorities" during questioning, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said during a news conference Tuesday.
BP blocks one of three leaks in oil well
WASHINGTON, May 5 (UPI) -- BP said Wednesday it had capped one of three leaks from its damaged Gulf of Mexico well and it might be able to seal the well in as little as two weeks.
BP Chief Executive Officer Tony Hayward told the Houston Chronicle the company was considering an untested approach he called "top kill," which involves reconfiguring equipment to pump heavy fluids into the well to stop the flow and create a permanent seal. The method involves using the blowout preventer that failed when an explosion crippled the Deepwater Horizon well, triggering a fire that has left 11 employees missing and presumed dead and an estimated 5,000 gallons of oil a day leaking into the gulf.
Previous estimates indicated it would take weeks to months to stem the flow of oil.
Earlier Wednesday, BP issued a statement saying it had stopped the flow of oil from one of three leaks by installing a valve at the end of a broken drill pipe.
The stoppage was not expected to affect the overall rate of flow from the well, but was expected to reduce the complexity of dealing with the situation on the ocean floor, the company said in a release.
BP also announced it had made $25 million block grants to each of the states of Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida to help mitigate damage from oil reaching shore or threatening environmentally sensitive areas.
"We hope these grants will support the effective deployment of pre-prepared response plans in each state," said Tony Hayward, BP group chief executive.
Obama declares 'major disaster' in Tenn.
WASHINGTON, May 5 (UPI) -- Tennesseans Wednesday began the task of assessing damage from the deadly flood while coping with a shortage of drinking water and some looting, officials said.
The National Weather Service said river levels were dropping slowly in the Nashville area, but flood conditions were expected remain for the next couple of days, The (Nashville) Tennessean reported. Officials said the death toll in the state had risen to 20 and may go higher, the newspaper said.
Nashville has been particularly hard hit by the high waters, with landmarks including the football stadium and the Grand Ole Opry House under water.
The Tennessean reported water supplies were dwindling in the city where people were being urged to do more to conserve. Metro Water Services Director Scott Potter said since only one water treatment plant was functioning residents were being called on to use less water.
The newspaper also said Nashville Police Chief Ronal Serpas confirmed there had been 17 incidents of looting. Two suspects had been arrested in looting case, Serpas said.
Nashville-area school employees were being asked to return to work Thursday and classes may resume Monday, though it wasn't certain, The Tennessean said.
"We are putting that decision on hold right now," said Jesse Register, director of Metro Nashville Public Schools, which has about 10,000 employees and 76,000 students.
Nashville officials said they were sending search and rescue teams into the flooded neighborhoods to check on people and property to make sure it is safe.
Obama signs vet health bill
WASHINGTON, May 5 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama Wednesday signed legislation expanding healthcare services for veterans, calling it a "moral obligation."
Saying the country's obligation to veterans does not end on the battlefield, Obama signed the Caregivers And Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act.
"We have a responsibility to veterans like Ted Wade. … Six years ago, Sergeant Wade was serving in the 82nd Airborne Division in Iraq when his Humvee was struck by an IED, an improvised explosive device," Obama said. "He lost much of his right arm and suffered multiple injuries, including severe traumatic brain injury. …
"As I've said many times, our nation's commitment to our veterans and their families -- to patriots like Ted and Sarah -- is a sacred trust, and upholding that trust is a moral obligation."
The bill expands mental health counseling and services and authorizes the Veterans Administration to use hospitals and clinics outside its system, and also provides expanded support for caregiver training and services.
About 30 people were on hand for the signing ceremony, including first lady Michelle Obama, the vice president's wife, Jill Biden, and VA Secretary Gen. Eric K. Shinseki.
Strikes over budget cuts hobble Greece
ATHENS, Greece, May 5 (UPI) -- A protest against Greek austerity measures in Athens turned deadly Wednesday as a result of the firebombing of a bank, police said.
The Athens News Agency-Macedonian Press Agency reported three people died in the firebombing at a branch of the Marfin Egnatia bank and unconfirmed reports said the victims were all bank employees.
A general strike shut down airports, schools and hospitals in advance of a parliamentary vote Thursday on the austerity measures.
The New York Times reported flight cancellations, a halt in numerous services, and closed tourist sights as workers protested the government's plan to trim the budget by $38.6 billion with a series of tax hikes and deep spending cuts.
The budget adjustments would put Greece in compliance with terms set out by the European Union and the International Monetary Fund for a $143 billion loan package to help Greece meet its debt obligations. In Germany Wednesday, Chancellor Angela Merkel said the bailout was "about nothing less than the future of Europe and the future of Germany in Europe."
Urging German lawmakers to ratify the country's contribution to the bailout, Merkel said, "It must go forward so as not to unleash a chain reaction onto international markets that would contaminate Europe."
