Democrats scramble after warning after health insurers say overhaul will drive up premiums

WASHINGTON — Insurance companies aren’t playing nice any more. Their dire message that health care legislation will drive up premiums for people who already have coverage comes as a warning shot at a crucial point in the debate and threatens President Barack Obama’s top domestic priority.

On eve of big vote, health overhaul supporters scramble to counter industry study on premiums

WASHINGTON — Insurance companies aren’t playing nice any more.

Dollar falls versus euro, rises against pound as earnings season kicks off this week

NEW YORK — The dollar was mixed Monday as investors looked ahead to third-quarter earnings reports for more clues on the state of the global economy.

Worker dies in downtown Philly after construction lift topples 125 feet, strikes building

PHILADELPHIA — A tall construction lift toppled over and struck a downtown Philadelphia apartment building Monday, killing a construction worker who fell 125 feet.

Philadelphia construction lift topples, sending worker falling 125 feet

PHILADELPHIA — A man operating a construction lift to work on a church roof drove over a sidewalk grate, slowly toppling the crane-like machine and sending him 125 feet to the ground.

Treasury futures slightly higher as bond markets closed for Columbus Day holiday

NEW YORK — Treasury futures prices were slightly higher in afternoon trading Monday as investors looking to place bets on government debt turned to derivatives contracts while the bond market was closed for the Columbus Day holiday.

Stocks give up advance, trade mixed as sluggish tech shares balance out gains in energy stocks

NEW YORK — Investors waiting for earnings reports to flow in traded cautiously Monday, giving up early gains and leaving the market narrowly mixed. The Dow Jones industrials reached a new 2009 trading high, edging closer to 10,000.

Energy stocks lead market higher at start of busy earnings week; Dow approaches 10,000

NEW YORK — Stocks are extending recent gains at the start of a busy week of earnings, nudging the Dow Jones industrial average closer to 10,000.

Connecticut police say immigrants’ story about kidnapping, ransom was a lie

GREENWICH, Conn. — A Connecticut family made up claims that it rescued three immigrant relatives from a kidnapper by showing up with baseball bats at a ransom exchange meeting, according to police reports.

Stocks start busy week of earnings higher after upbeat report from Royal Philips Electronics

NEW YORK — Stocks are extending recent gains at the start of a busy week of earnings.

Philips profit boosts European markets as 3rd-quarter earnings season kicks into gear

LONDON — European stock markets rose strongly Monday as investor sentiment was buoyed by better than expected third-quarter profits from Royal Philips Electronics NV at the start of a week when earnings statements around the world will be the main focus of attention.

US stock futures follow European markets higher as spate of earnings reports loom

NEW YORK — The stock market is looking to extend its recent gains at the start of a busy week of earnings.

Philips profit helps European stocks advance as earnings season get into gear

LONDON — European stock markets rose Monday despite earlier losses in Asia as investor sentiment was buoyed by a better than expected third-quarter profit from Royal Philips Electronics NV at the start of a week when earnings statements around the world will be the main focus of attention.

AP News in Brief

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How the Dow Jones industrials and other major stock indexes fared in Monday’s trading

How the major stock indexes fared on Monday

The Nation’s Weather

The nation’s weather

Messy winter weather was forecast to continue Tuesday over the Northern U.S. as a low pressure system tracked over the Pacific Northwest and into the Northern Plains. This system was expected to obtain ample moisture from the Pacific Ocean and continue spreading scattered rain showers with periods of heavy snow at higher elevations.