Obama tries to pull himself, US past uproar over race by meeting with officer, Harvard scholar

WASHINGTON — With mugs of beer and more-carefully chosen words, President Barack Obama tried to push himself and the nation beyond an uproar over race, chatting in his garden Thursday with the black professor and the white policeman whose dispute had ignited a fierce, consuming debate.

PDP does not want any development for Kashmir, charges Farooq Abdullah

SRINAGAR - Coming down heavily upon the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for creating a ruckus in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, Union Minister for Non-Renewable Sources of Energy Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday said the PDP does not want any development in the State.

Loan official: Sens. Conrad and Dodd informed they were getting VIP home loan deals

WASHINGTON — Two influential Senate committee chairmen were told they were getting special VIP deals when they applied for mortgages, an official who handled their loans told Congress in closed-door testimony. Democratic Sens. Christopher Dodd and Kent Conrad had denied knowing they were getting discounts when they negotiated their loan terms.

Florida town’s mayor defends firing of manager after learning his wife is a porn actress

The mayor of a small southwest Florida town on Thursday defended the town council’s decision to fire its city manager after officials learned his wife is an adult film actress.

Obama, Pope Benedict XVI meet for first time, discuss international aid and abortion

VATICAN CITY — President Barack Obama sat down with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican on Friday for frank but constructive talks between two men who agree on helping the poor but disagree on abortion and stem cell research.

Rove, Huckabee: Palin unwise to resign as Alaska governor, still subject to scrutiny

WASHINGTON — One of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s potential presidential rivals said Sunday that her abrupt resignation won’t help her dodge scrutiny. President George W. Bush’s chief political adviser said her strategy is, at best, unclear.

FEC rules former Sen. Norm Coleman can use campaign funds to pay for certain legal bills

WASHINGTON — The Federal Election Commission on Thursday ruled that former Sen. Norm Coleman can use campaign money to pay for legal bills to address allegations involving a donor.

Ensign apologizes to Senate Republicans in wake of admitting to affair with campaign aide

WASHINGTON — Sen. John Ensign apologized to his Republican Senate colleagues Tuesday after revealing last week that he had an affair with a campaign staffer and resigning from the GOP leadership.

Palin, opponents spar over complaints as Alaska governor rakes in thousands for legal fund

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin says her political enemies are abusing state law with a flurry of frivolous ethics complaints against her, putting her more than $500,000 in legal debt.

Judge wants to review FBI interview of Cheney in CIA leak case, considers public release

WASHINGTON — A federal judge said Thursday that he wants to look at notes from the FBI’s interview with former Vice President Dick Cheney during the investigation into who leaked the identity of a CIA operative.

Cuba drops ban on letting doctor leave country to visit children in Argentina

BUENOS AIRES — Cuba’s government has dropped its refusal to let a prominent physician visit her family abroad, Argentina’s government announced Friday. The measure resolves one of the few disputes between the two countries.

Wife of senator playing key role in health care overhaul serves on medical company boards

WASHINGTON — The wife of a senator playing a lead role on a national health care overhaul sits on the boards of four health care companies, one of several examples of lawmakers with ties to the medical industry.

Amid investigation, Rep. Visclosky temporarily gives up key duty of powerful subcommittee

WASHINGTON — Rep. Pete Visclosky, the chairman of a powerful House appropriations subcommittee, said Tuesday he is handing off control of a key spending bill, the latest sign his ties to a troubled lobbying firm are weakening his standing in Congress.

White House tightens some curbs on lobbying for economic stimulus projects, loosens others

WASHINGTON — The White House issued new rules Friday broadening some of its restrictions on lobbying for projects in the economic stimulus package, but retreating on others.

US tested mustard gas on its own soldiers during WWII

TORONTO - Americans tested mustard gas on thousands of their own soldiers during World War II to know which race was more vulnerable to it, according to a Canadian historian.

NGO slams Pakistani, Indian electronic media for Mumbai reportage

ISLAMABAD - The manner in which the electronic media of both India and Pakistan reported on the Mumbai carnage went against the requirements of professional ethics and basic standards of journalism, says a South Asian NGO.