Bush's job approval rating up to 42 percent

WASHINGTON -- President Bush's job approval rating is up to 42 percent, the highest level since summer. That's because he shifted into campaign mode to reverse his slide and improved standing with whites, men, Catholics and other core supporters on his handling of Iraq and the economy, an AP-Ipsos poll found. "Now it's not a one-sided debate," said Republican pollster Ed Goeas, citing Bush's recent speeches on the health of the economy and the high stakes in Iraq. "You have a message getting out there in a much more positive way." Bush improved his job approval rating from 37 percent in November to 42 percent now, though his standing with the public remains relatively low. Fifty-seven percent still disapprove, down from 61.

Cancer survival boosted by switching drugs

SAN ANTONIO -- Women have better odds of surviving early breast cancer if they are switched to a newer drug after two or three years of Tamoxifen, doctors are reporting. It is the first evidence that drugs called aromatase inhibitors can save lives, not just prevent cancer from coming back. Other new research suggests that the longer women take these drugs, the more they may benefit. "This is a first attempt to get a grip on duration" of treatment, said the leader of one of the studies, Dr. James Ingle of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. "Longer is better." The findings were reported Friday at a breast cancer conference in Texas. Tamoxifen has been a mainstay of breast cancer treatment for decades. Taking it for five years after cancer surgery cuts the risk of recurrence in half and improves survival. The drug blunts the effects of estrogen, a hormone that fuels the growth of most tumors that occur in women after menopause.

Oil company issues report on March blast

Management tolerated risks and didn't stress safety before a Texas City oil refinery blast killed 15 employees and injured more than 170, plant owner BP PLC said Friday in its final report on the explosion. BP, one of the world's largest oil and gas companies, said in a news release that its investigation team "found no evidence of anyone consciously or intentionally taking actions or decisions that put others at risk." Still, the second of two BP internal reports said "the team found many areas where procedures, policies and expected behaviors were not met." The refinery erupted March 23 in a fiery blast that shook homes as far as five miles away and sent a towering plume of black smoke into the sky. The explosion resulted in numerous lawsuits and millions in fines and settlements paid by BP.

GOP pushes for passage of a new Patriot Act

WASHINGTON -- Congressional Republican leaders are pressing for passage next week of a new Patriot Act to combat terrorism, but a Senate filibuster looms on a measure that critics say is a threat to individual liberties. Key provisions cover the ability of law enforcement officials to gain access to a wealth of personal data, including library and medical records, as part of investigations into suspected terrorist activity. The measure provides a four-year extension of the government's ability to conduct roving wiretaps and to seek access to many of the personal records covered by the bill. Also extended for four years is the power to wiretap "lone wolf" terrorists who may operate on their own, without control from a foreign agent or power. Another provision gives the government 30 days to provide notice that it has carried out a search warrant.

-- From wire reports