Nation briefs 3/13/06

Gas prices up 11 cents in two weeks nationally

CAMARILLO, Calif. -- Retail gas prices across the country climbed an average of 11 cents in the past two weeks, according to a new survey. The weighted average price for all three grades increased to $2.38 a gallon by Friday, according to Trilby Lundberg, who publishes the semimonthly Lundberg Survey of 7,000 gas stations around the country. Self-serve regular averaged $2.35 a gallon nationwide. Midgrade cost $2.45 a gallon while premium was $2.55.

Authorities will seek indictment in strangling

NEW YORK -- Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said Sunday authorities would seek an indictment against a parolee with a long rap sheet, the prime suspect in last month's gruesome slaying of a graduate student. Blood found on the plastic ties used to bind Imette St. Guillen has been matched to a bouncer at the bar where she was last seen alive, the New York Police Department commissioner said. Kelly said authorities would take that match and other evidence to a grand jury to get an indictment against Darryl Littlejohn.

Simple treatment offers way to treat heart failure

ATLANTA -- A simple method of filtering excess fluid from the bloodstream appears safer and far more effective than the "water pills" that have been used for decades to treat hospitalized heart failure patients, doctors reported Sunday. The research points to a new way to treat a problem that affects 5 million Americans. It requires no drugs, seems to get them back home sooner, and uses a device that is already on the market.

-- From wire reports