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In the Nation

Edwards: Medical need to delay trial

RALEIGH, N.C. - Former presidential candidate John Edwards says he has been diagnosed with a medical condition that would make it difficult for him to attend his approaching criminal trial over campaign finances and is asking for it to be delayed.

In a motion filed Thursday, Edwards' lawyers asked a federal judge to delay the start of the Jan. 30 trial for at least two months. They did not disclose his illness and filed sealed records with the court.

Members of the defense team could not immediately be reached for comment.

Federal prosecutors filed a motion opposing the delay, saying they are ready to try the onetime senator on six felony and misdemeanor counts related to nearly $1 million from wealthy donors used to help hide his pregnant mistress during his 2008 White House run. Edwards, a Democrat, has pleaded not guilty. - AP

Protests promised on Detroit's status

DETROIT - The Rev. Jesse Jackson and other religious and civil-rights leaders are promising protests and possible civil disobedience against Michigan's new emergency-manager law that could lead to a takeover of Detroit government.

He and others announced their plans Thursday at a news conference.

The Chicago-based activist says emergency managers are like dictators with the power to override local democracy, discard union contracts, and cut vital public services. He's seeking U.S. Justice Department intervention.

Detroit schools already have state-appointed emergency financial managers. The state is evaluating whether Detroit's financial problems merit the naming of an emergency manager. Mayor Dave Bing and the City Council oppose a state takeover of Detroit and are working on budget-balancing measures. - AP

Army: Arlington stones need fixes

ARLINGTON, Va. - Thousands of grave markers at Arlington National Cemetery may need to be replaced or added to accurately account for the dead, following a meticulous Army review of each of the nearly 260,000 headstones and niche covers on the grounds.

In a report to Congress on Thursday, the Army found potential discrepancies between headstones and cemetery paperwork on about 64,000 grave markers - about one in four.

Congress ordered the review last year after reports of misidentified and misplaced graves led to the ouster of the cemetery's top executives.

The report found no further evidence of misplaced graves, though it cautioned that its review is not complete. There are potentially thousands of minor errors, including misspelled names or incorrect military ranks. The cemetery's executive director, Kathryn Condon, said it's premature to try to estimate exactly how many headstones may need replacement. - AP

Elsewhere:

Wal-Mart and health officials awaited tests on a batch of powdered Enfamil Newborn formula that was removed from more than 3,000 stores nationwide after a Missouri newborn who consumed it apparently died from a rare infection. The source of the bacteria that caused the infection has not been determined.