AP News in Brief
NJ Gov. Christie faces political fallout as aide caught in messages engineering traffic jam
• TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- This was supposed to be a month of celebration for New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's political future.
• But after personal messages revealed that his administration may have closed highway lanes to exact political retribution, the prospective Republican presidential candidate is faced with what may be the biggest test of his political career.
• Wednesday's revelations thrust a regional transportation issue into a national conversation raising new questions about the ambitious governor's leadership on the eve of a second term designed to jumpstart his road to the White House.
• The critics quickly emerged across New Jersey and beyond, high-profile Democrats and Republicans among them, including some who know the 51-year-old governor best.
• "What are these people doing?" asked a baffled former New Jersey Republican Gov. Tom Kean, whom Christie has often described as a mentor. "The closer to the governor this is, the more harm that it's going to do."
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Obama expected to restrict NSA access to Americans' phone records, spying on foreign leaders
• WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama is expected to restrict National Security Agency access to Americans' phone records and rein in spying on foreign leaders, according to people familiar with a White House review of the government's surveillance programs.
• Obama could unveil his highly anticipated decisions as early as next week. On Thursday, the president is expected to discuss his review with congressional lawmakers, while his top lawyer plans to meet with privacy groups. Representatives from tech companies are meeting with White House staff on Friday.
• The White House says Obama is still collecting information before making final decisions.
• Among the changes Obama is expected to announce is more oversight of the National Intelligence Priorities Framework, a classified document that ranks U.S. in
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