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House votes to prohibit abortion coverage in government run insurance plan

House votes strict ban on abortion subsidies

Burris: No complaints, but not going to vote for a health care bill without a public option

WASHINGTON — For Democrats determined to get a health care bill, Sen. Roland Burris is like the house guest who couldn’t be refused, won’t soon be leaving and poses a plausible threat of ruining holiday dinner.

Baucus sweetens bill to make premiums more affordable as Finance panel prepares to vote

WASHINGTON — Senators challenging the latest proposed health care overhaul already have won concessions that include reducing a penalty for Americans who don’t buy insurance, and hundreds of other changes are up for debate as a powerful committee takes up President Barack Obama’s top domestic priority.

With focus on health care, Congress expects delays for major transportation bills

WASHINGTON — The Democratic-led Congress’ determination to do something about health care this year has slowed legislation affecting the safety of almost every traveler in America.

Obama pushes for agreement on balanced growth to set stage for sustained economic recovery

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says he is determined to go after the “reckless risk-taking” that pushed the global economy into the worst financial crisis since the 1930s, and he is also pushing for countries to promote more balanced growth going forward.

Obama plays Diplomatically in Israeli Palestinian Meeting and China Talks

Ahead of midterm elections, Obama choosing sides in family, er party, squabbles

WASHINGTON — A nod here. A nudge there. And the weight of the White House backing them up.

Idol worth Rs.10 crore recovered in Uttar Pradesh

LUCKNOW - An idol worth nearly Rs.10 crore (Rs.100 million) in the international market was recovered from Uttar Pradesh’s Jaunpur town, police said Tuesday.

Obama rules out one-to-one talks with Brown over Lockerbie bomber’s release

LONDON - The British Prime Minister’s office has been forced to admit that Gordon Brown has not been invited for private talks with U.S. President Brack Obama this week.

Afghanistan assessment, a catalyst for Obama

WASHINGTON - The 66-page assessment report provided to U.S. President Barack Obama by his top military commander in Afghanistan, General Stanley A. McChrystal could be read in two possible ways.

UN climate summit of 100 world leaders puts spotlight on China and India

SEC going to trial against BofA on Merrill bonuses; bank also exits $118B loss guarantee deal

WASHINGTON — Bank of America Corp. now faces a trial with the Securities and Exchange Commission over billions in bonuses paid at Merrill Lynch, after a judge threw out the bank’s $33 million settlement and rebuked the agency for not pursuing charges against executives.

CAPITAL CULTURE: Since becoming president, Obama spends little time on Chicago’s South Side

CHICAGO — A jogger has to alter his route because of security barricades. But a local barber shop is enjoying a tourism boom. And neighborhood residents have gained a reason to brag to friends — all thanks to President Barack Obama.

Crews stabilize 1 fire in southwestern Oregon, while another prompts evacuation of 300 homes

MEDFORD, Ore. — One southwestern Oregon fire stabilized Monday while another spread, temporarily knocking out power to thousands and prompting the evacuation of more than 300 homes.

Carter says Israel must stop building settlements in Palestine to achieve Middle East peace

HARRISONBURG, Virginia — Israel must stop building settlements in the Palestinian territories if peace is ever to be achieved in the Middle East, former President Jimmy Carter said Monday night as he received an award at a Virginia university for his humanitarian efforts.

Baucus changes health bill to address affordability concerns of fellow senators

WASHINGTON — The chairman of the Senate Finance Committee was revising his sweeping health care bill Monday to address serious concerns from fellow Democrats and a key Republican about insurance costs, part of his ongoing struggle to deliver on President Barack Obama’s top domestic priority.

Recession’s impact: Census data show longer commutes, delayed marriage, fewer immigrants

WASHINGTON — A broad survey of Americans has provided striking measures of the recession’s effect on life at home and at work: People are now stuck in traffic longer, less apt to move away and more inclined to put off marriage and buying a house.

Toddler among 6 killed as storms pound the Southeast as forecasters call for more rain

ATLANTA — Surging floodwaters ripped apart a west Georgia trailer home, drowning a 2-year-old boy swept from his father’s arms. In Atlanta, stranded motorists scrambled to the tops of their car as waters rose on one of the city’s busiest highways. To the north, crews worked furiously to shore up a levee holding a surging river back from an isolated town.

SEC going to trial against Bank of America in Merrill Lynch bonus case

WASHINGTON — The Securities and Exchange Commission said Monday it will go to trial against Bank of America Corp. over billions of dollars in bonuses paid at Merrill Lynch, which the bank acquired in a hastily arranged deal a year ago at the height of the financial crisis.

Toddler swept away from family’s mobile home among 6 killed as storms flood Southeast

ATLANTA — Surging floodwaters ripped apart a west Georgia trailer home, drowning a 2-year-old boy swept from his father’s arms. In Atlanta, stranded motorists scrambled to the tops of their car as waters rose on one of the city’s busiest highways. To the north, crews worked furiously to shore up a levee holding a surging river back from an isolated town.

AP sources: Obama may expand terror strikes instead of bulking up US force in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama may change course again as the war worsens in Afghanistan, steering away from the comprehensive counterinsurgency strategy he laid out this spring and toward a narrower focus on counterterror operations aimed at al-Qaida.

NY indictment accuses high-profile Democratic fundraiser of $292 Ponzi scheme

NEW YORK — Federal prosecutors have charged a wealthy fundraiser for Hillary Rodham Clinton and other top Democrats in an alleged $292 million Ponzi scheme that spanned more than a decade, saying he used some of the proceeds to support election campaigns.

AP sources: Obama may expand drone strikes instead of bulking up US force in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama’s strategy against al-Qaida may shift away from more troops in Afghanistan and toward more drone strikes against terrorist targets.

FACT CHECK: Obama says insurance mandate is not a tax, but legislation says otherwise

WASHINGTON — Memo to President Barack Obama: It’s a tax.

Obama explains why he’s on Letterman: a heart-shaped potato

NEW YORK — Add this one to the presidential collection: the heart-shaped potato.

Sen. Max Baucus changes his health care bill to reflect concerns of Democrats, key Republican

WASHINGTON — The chairman of the Senate Finance Committee was revising his sweeping health care bill Monday to address serious concerns from fellow Democrats and a key Republican about insurance costs, part of his ongoing struggle to deliver on President Barack Obama’s top domestic priority.