Stakes are high in Maine’s vote on gay marriage; out-of-state money pours in from both sides

Stakes are high in Maine’s vote on gay marriage

Indiana, Colorado casino owner Centaur misses interest payments, plans restructuring

Ind., Colo. casino owner misses lender payments

SKorea’s foreign minister urges NKorea to take ’substantial’ steps toward disarmament

SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea’s foreign minister called North Korea’s uranium enrichment program “worrisome” and pressed the communist nation to take real steps toward nuclear disarmament.

Billy Graham’s son meets with North Korea’s top diplomat

SEOUL, South Korea — The son of veteran evangelist Billy Graham had a “friendly conversation” Wednesday with North Korea’s foreign minister, the state news agency said, as the American brought one of the first shipments of U.S. aid to the country in months.

Nobel glory, $1.4 million check await handful of world’s top scientists

Nobel glory awaits handful of top scientists

Diplomats: US and Iran meet one-on-one at high level nuke talks

GENTHOD, Switzerland — The U.S. says senior American and Iranian delegates have met one-on-one on the sidelines of a high-stakes gathering on Tehran’s nuclear program.

Groups battling over health care overhaul have spent more than $100 million for television ads

WASHINGTON — Medical providers, businesses and other groups battling over a health care overhaul have spent more than $100 million this year on television advertising — an enormous sum that highlights the stakes involved.

Mayweather agrees to pay $5.6M back taxes to IRS, avoids having it taken from fight purse

LAS VEGAS — Boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. agreed to pay $5.6 million in back taxes before the Internal Revenue Service was poised to take the money from his purse after his Saturday comeback fight against Juan Manuel Marquez.

Dallas: Built on big oil money, but cheap eats and affordable sightseeing can be had

DALLAS —In a city that hangs its hat on big money, a flashy skyline and well-heeled locals, a visit on the cheap might seem unlikely. But residents know that it doesn’t take a trust fund to have a good time here. For starters, sit down to a plate of cheap tacos and start people-watching.

Kentucky Derby future safe even as state racing industry struggles

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Kentucky Derby will continue to thrive at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May. It’s the rest of the year that’s a problem for racing venues in the self-proclaimed “horse capital of the world.”

Analysis: With Franken, Democrats will have 60 votes but no guaranteed success

WASHINGTON — Al Franken’s victory in the marathon Minnesota Senate race gives Democrats control of 60 seats, the number needed to overcome any Republican filibuster aimed at blocking elements of President Barack Obama’s ambitious agenda.

Pakistan ramps up campaign against Taliban, offers reward for information on militant chief

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan ramped up its campaign against Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud on Sunday, placing a bounty on the chieftain’s head and launching air strikes on his stronghold in the country’s northwest.

Pakistani forces kill at least 11 militants in northwest; 6 soldiers killed in rocket attack

ISLAMABAD — Warplanes and helicopter gunships pounded suspected militant positions in Pakistan’s troubled northwest on Sunday, killing 11 Taliban fighters, intelligence officials said.

Intel officials say 6 Pakistani soldiers killed in rocket attack on army convoy in northwest

ISLAMABAD — Intelligence officials say six soldiers have been killed in a rocket attack on an army convoy in northwest Pakistan.

Antigua’s former top financial regulator surrenders in alleged Stanford swindle

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua — Antigua’s former chief financial regulator surrendered Thursday to face U.S. charges that he aided an alleged $7 billion swindle by Texas billionaire R. Allen Stanford, government officials said.

Billionaire R. Allen Stanford indicted, jailed in alleged $7 billion fraud

WASHINGTON — Brash Texas billionaire R. Allen Stanford has been jailed on charges his international banking empire was really just a Ponzi scheme built on lies, bluster and bribery.

Obama puts US in driver’s seat as GM enters bankruptcy, planning huge job and dealer cuts

WASHINGTON — In a defining moment for American capitalism, President Barack Obama ushered General Motors Corp. into bankruptcy protection Monday and put the government behind the wheel of the company that once symbolized the nation’s economic muscle.

Filly Rachel Alexandra arrives at Pimlico for Preakness

BALTIMORE — The belle of the Preakness ball has arrived at Pimlico.

Churchill Downs will ask to drop 7 race days from spring meet; will reduce purses on 6 races

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Churchill Downs will ask the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission to let the track drop seven race days from the 2009 spring meet.

Derby Trial winner won’t race in Preakness, heads instead to Belmont’s Woody Stephens Stakes

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Derby Trial winner Hull will not race in the Preakness and instead will run in the Woody Stephens Stakes at Belmont Park on June 6.

Hungary’s unbeaten hero horse Overdose to miss Temple Stakes due to foot injury

BUDAPEST, Hungary — Unbeaten racehorse Overdose will miss his debut in England because of a foot infection.

Charitable Man dominates Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont Park

NEW YORK — Charitable Man got back into the 3-year-old picture Saturday, pulling away to a 3¾-length win in the $200,000 Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont Park.

Cowboy up! Mine That Bird’s Derby win makes unlikely star out of gelding and his cowboys

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — They weren’t supposed to be here among the big shots and the sheik, the Hall of Famers and the million dollar sure-things.

Rookies ready for unpredictable Players Championship, a big event with no big favorites

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — The Players Championship has its own version of a Super Bowl media day.

Challengers lining up for Preakness and a shot at Derby winner Mine That Bird

BALTIMORE — There will be no shortage of challengers when Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird tries to win the Preakness Stakes.

Derby third-place finisher Musket Man will take on Derby winner Mine That Bird in Preakness

OCEANPORT, N.J. — Musket Man is a go for the Preakness Stakes.