First House votes on health care bills as Obama steps up campaign for overhaul

WASHINGTON — Health care legislation would raise costs, not lower them, Congress’ top budget cruncher said Thursday, complicating President Barack Obama’s push to overhaul the system.

Dance lovers tell Des Moines to wake up, legalize late-night dancing in Iowa’s largest city

DES MOINES, Iowa — Dancing the night away in Des Moines doesn’t seem to be at the top of many must-do lists. Maybe because it’s illegal.

Man flying US flag upside down in protest says police wrongly seized it July 4

WAUSAU, Wis. — An American flag flown upside down as a protest in a northern Wisconsin village was seized by police before a Fourth of July parade and the businessman who flew it — an Iraq war veteran — claims the officers trespassed and stole his property.

GOP nominee for NJ governor will testify before House panel on settlement oversight contracts

TRENTON, N.J. — The Republican candidate for governor will tell a congressional subcommittee about white-collar crime settlements he approved as a federal prosecutor, including a deal potentially worth $52 million to his one-time boss, former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft.

Brazilian family: Boy at center of international custody dispute wants to remain there, not NJ

Stepfamily: Boy in custody battle chooses Brazil

MOUNT LAUREL, N.J. — The Brazilian family of a boy at the center of an international custody battle said Tuesday the boy wants to remain in Brazil, where he feels safe and loved.

Obama announces agreement with pharmaceutical companies on Medicare drug coverage

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama on Monday welcomed the pharmaceutical industry’s agreement to help close a gap in Medicare’s drug coverage, calling the pact a step forward in the push for overhaul of the nation’s health care system.

City drops request for applicants to hand over passwords for Internet groups

HELENA, Mont. — A flood of criticism has prompted a Montana city to drop its request that government job applicants turn over their user names and passwords to Internet social networking and Web groups.

Searchers at NC Slim Jim plant blast scene hampered by rain-swollen roof, structural integrity

GARNER, N.C. — Searchers on Wednesday planned to attempt entering a North Carolina meat products plant ripped apart by an explosion that killed at least two workers, officials said. One worker was still unaccounted for.

American Indian farmers prepare for trial in discrimination lawsuit, despite talk of settling

BISMARCK, N.D. — An attorney for American Indian farmers suing the government over alleged farm loan discrimination says the group continues to prepare for a trial despite statements by the Obama administration indicating a willingness to resolve such disputes.

Ex-boxing champ wins celebrity boxing event

LONDON - Former heavyweight boxing champion Frank Bruno was a shock winner of a celebrity boxing version of Weakest Link.

The best golfer no one has heard of? Washington’s Nick Taylor thrives in relative anonymity

SHORELINE, Wash. — Much to the disbelief of his teammates, there was a time when Washington’s Nick Taylor stood over a tee with nerves rattling every movement of his swing.

Hamilton homers in return from injury, Rangers down Mariners 7-1

ARLINGTON, Texas — Josh Hamilton returned from the disabled list by hitting the go-ahead homer in a six-run seventh inning and the Texas Rangers won for the eighth time in 10 games, beating the Seattle Mariners 7-1 Tuesday night.

US synchronized diving teams chosen for world championships

INDIANAPOLIS — Thomas Finchum, Kristian Ipsen, Kelci Bryant and Mary Beth Dunnichay have earned spots on USA Diving’s roster for this summer’s world championships.

Willy Taveras has 5 hits to lead Reds past Diamondbacks 13-5

PHOENIX — Willy Taveras matched a career high with five hits, Adam Rosales had a homer and two doubles, and the Cincinnati Reds routed Arizona 13-5 on Monday night.

Anthony’s 3-pointer with 1 second left gives Nuggets 106-105 win over Mavericks and 3-0 lead

DALLAS — No matter how many things the Denver Nuggets did wrong Saturday, they somehow always remained within striking distance of the Dallas Mavericks. And with a second left, Carmelo Anthony struck. Anthony broke free of a defender trying to foul him and swished a 3-pointer, giving the Nuggets a 106-105 victory over the Mavericks and a 3-0 series lead that has been insurmountable in NBA history.

Jack Cust’s grand slam sparks Athletics in 9-4 victory over Rangers

OAKLAND, Calif. — Jack Cust hit a grand slam, and Matt Holliday added a three-run shot to help the Oakland Athletics beat the Texas Rangers 9-4 Thursday.

Barclays bank says 1Q net profit up 12 percent, impairment charges up 79 percent

LONDON — Barclays PLC, the British bank that stood apart from its peers by shunning a government bailout, on Thursday posted a sharp rise in first-quarter net profit after its investment banking profits surged from the acquisition of U.S. assets of bankrupt Lehman Brothers.

Pakistani army says troops hit Taliban stronghold as US calls for action; 35 militants killed

MINGORA, Pakistan — The Pakistani army says security forces have killed about 35 militants in a Taliban stronghold in the northwest of the country.

Lance Armstrong says he will ride in support of teammate Leipheimer in Giro d’Italia

ROME — Lance Armstrong will ride in support of teammate Levi Leipheimer in the Giro d’Italia.

Cards outfielder Rick Ankiel has frightening crash after Phillies’ Ryan Howard hits slam

ST. LOUIS — Running full speed after chasing down a deep liner in the gap, Rick Ankiel had no time to slow down.

Person with familiar with choice tells AP that Cavaliers’ LeBron James is NBA’s MVP

CLEVELAND — Unstoppable at both ends of the floor this season, LeBron James is the NBA’s Most Valuable Player. James, who led the Cleveland Cavaliers to a team-record 66 regular-season wins and the top overall seed in the playoffs, will receive the award Monday, a person with knowledge of the choice told The Associated Press. James chose Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, his alma mater, for the presentation, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the announcement has not been made.

Orioles manager Dave Trembley ejected for arguing in Sunday’s game against Blue Jays

TORONTO — Baltimore manager Dave Trembley was ejected for arguing in the fifth inning of Sunday’s game against the Blue Jays.

Losing altitude: Economy grounding student pilots, causing turbulence for flight schools

DAYTON, Ohio — Ivan Nogalo can often hear small planes buzzing over his machine shop in Cleveland.

Lions’ coach Jim Schwartz says quarterback Matthew Stafford “overanxious” in his 1st practice

ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Matthew Stafford looked spectacular at times, fitting spirals in tight places and delivering pinpoint passes downfield.

2009 Remaining Unrestricted Free Agents

Unsigned free agents with more than four years of NFL experience:

Rihanna set to receive jewellery back from police

NEW DELHI - The Los Angeles police are set to return Barbadian singer Rihanna’s 1.4 million dollars worth of jewellery taken as evidence on the night of the alleged assault on her by Chris Brown.

NASA may abandon plans for moon base

LONDON - NASA’s acting administrator, Chris Scolese, has told lawmakers that the agency will probably not build an outpost on the moon as originally planned.

Nationals avoid sweep, beat Phillies 4-1 behind Scott Olsen’s pitching

PHILADELPHIA — Scott Olsen pitched neatly into the sixth inning and Washington’s beleaguered bullpen held on as the Nationals snapped the Philadelphia Phillies’ five-game winning streak with a 4-1 victory Wednesday night.

Knight Riders set 140-run target for Royal Challengers

DURBAN - Kolkata Knight Riders made 139 for six in 20 overs against Bangalore Royal Challengers in their Indian Premier League match at Kingsmead here Wednesday.

Mickey Rourke broke his hand while wrestling with Chris Jericho

LONDON - American actor Mickey Rourke has revealed that his wrestling match with Chris Jericho was nowhere easy and he ended up with a broken hand.