U.S. Top News: House Republicans aim to weaken gun bill, focus on mental health

	Click to View in Browser 04/15/2013 House Republicans aim to weaken gun bill, focus on mental health WASHINGTON (Reuters) - As the Senate prepares to debate a gun-control bill for the first time in two decades on Monday, Republicans in the House of Representatives are devising ways to delay and weaken gun legislation they see as limiting Americans' right to bear arms, congressional sources say. Supreme Court declines to hear gun rights case WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Staying out of the raging national debate over guns, the Supreme Court on Monday declined to weigh in on whether gun owners have a constitutional right to carry handguns outside the home. Kerry to visit family of U.S. diplomat killed in Afghanistan TOKYO (Reuters) - Secretary of State John Kerry said on Monday he will go to Chicago on his return from a 10-day overseas tour to visit the family of a young diplomat who was killed in Afghanistan earlier this month. Alaska lawmakers slash oil taxes, hope to spur output ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Reuters) - Alaska lawmakers on Sunday gave final approval to a bill slashing state oil-production taxes in a change supporters said was needed to boost flagging output from aging fields but which critics say will severely damage the state's finances. Supreme Court to consider adoption case of American Indian girl CHARLESTON, South Carolina (Reuters) - The Supreme Court will hear arguments on Tuesday in an adoption fight between a South Carolina couple who raised a girl for more than two years after her birth and the child's biological father who won custody of her due to his American Indian heritage. Florida police officer fired over targets with likeness to Trayvon Martin ORLANDO, Fla./CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) - A Florida police officer fired over his use of shooting targets with an image resembling slain teenager Trayvon Martin is defending himself on YouTube, saying the target was intended as a "no shoot" training aid for an instructional session. Arrest raises hopes of progress in killings of Texas prosecutors Kaufman, Texas / New York - The arrest of a former local official has raised hopes of progress in the investigation into the killings of two Texas prosecutors, even though police have yet to name any suspects in the shootings. Exxon to remove damaged part of Arkansas oil pipeline on Monday (Reuters) - A 52-feet section of Exxon Mobil Corp's damaged Arkansas crude oil pipeline will be cut and removed on Monday, the company said. After court, gay rights spotlight shifts back to Obama WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama may have made a slow start on gay rights issues, but by the end of his first term his record was such that a news magazine dubbed him the nation's "first gay president." Now activists want more. Former President George W. Bush welcomes granddaughter SAN ANTONIO (Reuters) - Former U.S. President George W. Bush and former first lady Laura Bush are celebrating the birth of their first grandchild. Related Video Slovenia is not the next Cyprus & poses no risk - OECD Breakingviews: China GDP - a question of credit Great Debate A failure to lead at the U.N. Russia after Cyprus: Bringing the money home A daily digest of breaking business news, coverage of the US economy, major corporate news and the financial markets. Register Today   The latest Reuters articles on M&A, IPOs, private equity, hedge funds and regulatory updates delivered to your inbox each day. Register Today   » MORE NEWSLETTERS - 3 Times Square New York, NY 10036 USA © Copyright 2010 Thomson Reuters Ensure delivery of Reuters Newsmails, add mail@nl.reuters.com to your address book. Details Subscribe to other Reuters newsletters. Unsubscribe from this newsletter. Follow us on Twitter Friend us on Facebook Forward to a friend