They’re young, healthy _ and largely absent from Obama’s fight to overhaul health care

NEW YORK — Add this to President Barack Obama’s problems in selling his health care overhaul: A lot of the tech-savvy activists who helped put him in office are young, feeling indestructible and not all that into what they see as an old folks issue.

Obama jokes about the ‘book of secrets,’ says family is feeling at home at the White House

WASHINGTON — Yes, President Barack Obama has seen the fabled book of secrets from the “National Treasure” film sequel. And he’s staying zipped on what’s in it.

Assailed from all sides, Obama defends his health care plan to both the right and the left

WASHINGTON — With control of the health care debate slipping from his grasp, President Barack Obama pitched his ambitious plan to both conservative talk radio and his own liberal supporters Thursday — and denied a challenge from one backer that he was “bucklin’ a little bit” under Republican criticism.

Freed Lockerbie bomber returns home to Libya to die, outraging relatives of some victims

TRIPOLI, Libya — The only man convicted in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 returned home to Libya to die after he was released from a Scottish prison Thursday, a decision that outraged some relatives of the 270 people killed when the jetliner blew up over Lockerbie, Scotland, more than two decades ago.

Obama warns Libya against splashy welcome for Lockerbie bomber and objects to his release

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama urged Libya not to give a hero’s welcome to the convicted perpetrator of the Pan Am 103 bombing, who was released from a Scottish prison Thursday over U.S. objections. Hours later Abdel Baset al-Megrahi arrived in Tripoli to a festive greeting by thousands.

Obama tells talk radio caller ‘I guarantee’ health care overhaul will be approved by Congress

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama guaranteed Thursday that his health care overhaul will win approval and said any bill he signs will have to reduce rapidly rising costs, protect consumers from insurance abuses and provide affordable choices to the uninsured — while not adding to the federal deficit.

Obama stands by position that a public option should be considered for health care overhaul

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is standing by his position that a public option for health insurance coverage should be considered as part of legislation to overhaul the health care system.

Scotland frees terminally ill Lockerbie bomber on compassionate grounds to die in Libya

EDINBURGH, Scotland — Scotland freed the terminally ill Lockerbie bomber on compassionate grounds Thursday, letting the Libyan go home to die despite American pleas to show no mercy for the man responsible for the 1988 attack that killed 270 people.

Congressional Democrats prepare to go it alone on health care overhaul without GOP support

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is still talking compromise on a comprehensive health care bill to extend coverage to nearly 50 million Americans who lack it and contain rising costs. Privately, Democrats are preparing a one-party push, which they feel is all but inevitable.

Obama administration developing plans to wind down clunker rebates program

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration developed plans to wind down the popular Cash for Clunkers program and an announcement on when the incentives will end was expected Thursday.

Obama renews health care push as Democrats privately weigh a one-party approach

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is broadening his push for overhauling health care even as congressional Democrats quietly pursue ways to achieve their goals without any Republican help.

AP News in Brief

Obama says he’ll accept Nobel Peace Prize as ‘call to action’ toward peace and prosperity