The Wire: Sharp Benghazi criticism; $1.1 trillion budget; tourist gang

Posted: 01/15/2014 12:52:56 PM PST

Updated: 01/15/2014 12:54:01 PM PST

Senate faults State, CIA for lax security in Benghazi

A Senate panel faults both the State Department and the CIA for the lax security and poor preparation that made the U.S. mission in Benghazi, Libya, vulnerable to attack and led to the death of four Americans. The Senate Intelligence Committee report released Wednesday said the attack could have been prevented, and it sharply criticizes the State Department for failing to provide adequate security at the diplomatic compound where Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens was killed. 'The committee found the attacks were preventable, based on extensive intelligence reporting on the terrorist activity in Libya -- to include prior threats and attacks against Western targets -- and given the known security shortfalls at the U.S. Mission,' the committee said. Months before the attack, U.S. intelligence reports warned of deteriorating security in Benghazi, and the CIA bolstered its defenses at its Annex, but the State Department did not take similar steps at its diplomatic mission. The Senate panel also criticized communications breakdowns, saying the U.S. military didn't even know about the CIA Annex and was ill-prepared to deal with a crisis in Libya.

Congress poised to approve $1.1 trillion budget

The House was set to approve a $1.1 trillion spending plan Wednesday reflecting the bicameral budget agreement hammered out in December. The bill provides some $20 billion more for defense and spending programs this year than 2013, including $92 billion for military operations overseas. One widely supported provision rolls back a reduction in annual cost-of-living increases for wounded military personnel who retire early. The bill also cuts the budget of the Internal Revenue Service by $500 million. It provides funding for the 2010 health care overhaul, though not as much as requested. Rep. Phil Gingrey, R-Ga., vowed to vote against it for that reason, saying, 'It's funding Obamacare, and I pledged a long time ago I absolutely wouldn't vote for anything that has financing for Obamacare.' But there was little doubt the House would approve it Wednesday -- avoiding another government shutdown -- and the Senate was expected to follow suit later in the week.

Danish tourist gang-raped in India

A 51-year-old Danish tourist was gang-raped in New Delhi after getting lost and asking a group of men for directions to her hotel, police said Wednesday. She was lured to a secluded area, raped at knifepoint, robbed and beaten, police said. Two suspects were in custody and other people were being questioned, police spokesman Rajan Bhagat said. The woman got back to her hotel Tuesday, crying and 'not in good shape,' said Amit Bahl, owner of the Amax hotel, which is popular with backpackers. 'I am really ashamed that this happened,' he said. Police say the woman took a flight home to Denmark on Wednesday. India has become infamous for sexual violence since a 23-year-old woman was raped and murdered on a moving bus by multiple men in 2012, and there have also been attacks on tourists.

Springsteen weighs in on New Jersey bridge scandal

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is a huge fan of Bruce Springsteen, but he might have a hard time liking his latest tune. The Boss appeared on Tuesday's 'Late Night With Jimmy Fallon' to sing a parody of 'Born to Run' that mocked his aides' idea of blocking access to the George Washington Bridge for political payback. 'In the day we sweat it out on the streets stuck in traffic on the GWB,' the song goes. 'They shut down the toll booths of glory 'cuz we didn't endorse Christie.' Springsteen and Fallon sang side by side, wearing sleeveless denim shirts, red bandannas and sunglasses. Christie has acknowledged being a big fan of the Jersey-born rocker, though the staunch Democrat has given him the cold shoulder.

The Wire, a summary of top national and world news stories from the Associated Press and other wire services, moves weekdays. Contact Karl Kahler at 408-920-5023; follow him at http://ift.tt/1dwAzix.