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In the Nation

House approves cyber security bill

WASHINGTON - The House ignored Obama administration objections Thursday and approved legislation aimed at helping stop electronic attacks on critical U.S. infrastructure and private companies.

On a bipartisan vote of 248-168, the GOP-controlled House backed the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act, which would encourage companies and the federal government to share information collected on the Internet to prevent electronic attacks from cybercriminals, foreign governments and terrorists.

"This is the last bastion of things we need to do to protect this country," Rep. Mike Rogers (R., Mich.), chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said after more than five hours of debate.

The Obama administration has threatened a veto of the House bill, preferring a Senate measure that would give the Homeland Security Department the primary role in overseeing domestic cybersecurity and the authority to set security standards. That Senate bill remains stalled.

- AP

Senate addresses domestic violence

WASHINGTON - The Senate overcame election-year gender politics Thursday to pass a bill renewing the government's main domestic violence program.

The 68-31 vote marked the first time since the Violence Against Women Act first passed in 1994 that its renewal has drawn opposition in the Senate, reflecting the increasing polarization of the chamber and hair-trigger political sensitivities over women's issues in this presidential and congressional election year.

"In 2012, we should be beyond questioning the need for the Violence Against Women Act," Vice President Biden said in a statement. He urged the House to act quickly so President Obama can sign the renewal into law. Majority Republicans are writing their own version, which is likely to resemble a GOP alternative widely rejected by the Senate. - AP

Mother files suit in athlete's killing

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - The mother of slain University of Virginia lacrosse player Yeardley Love has filed a $29.5 million lawsuit against the former men's lacrosse player convicted of murdering her daughter.

The Daily Progress reported that Sharon Love filed the lawsuit against George Huguely V on Thursday in Charlottesville Circuit Court. Love is requesting compensatory damages for her 22-year-old daughter's death.

Huguely, 24, of Chevy Chase, Md., was convicted in February of second-degree murder and grand larceny in Love's death. A jury has recommended that he serve 26 years in prison. The lawsuit claims that Huguely was responsible for Love's death on May 3, 2010, and seeks a jury trial. - AP

Elsewhere:

The space shuttle Enterprise was due to arrive Friday in New York, riding on top of a modified jumbo jet. Its trip was to include low-altitude passes over landmarks including the Statue of Liberty and the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, where it is to make its new home.