OPB News · Headlines

Topic Index

Politics Headlines

Levin: More e-mails from Ft. Hood suspect possible

AP - SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2009 3:49 P.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The government intercepted at least 18 e-mails between the alleged Fort Hood gunman and a radical Muslim cleric, and a key senator says there could be more communications that might have tipped off law enforcement or military officials....

McCain links political correctness to shootings

AP - SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2009 3:46 P.M.

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia (AP) -- Sen. John McCain says he has no doubt that "political correctness" played a role in preventing concerns about the alleged Fort Hood gunman from reaching the right people....

McCain says he enjoyed reading Sarah Palin book

AP - SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2009 3:42 P.M.

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia (AP) -- U.S. Sen. John McCain said Saturday that he enjoyed reading running mate Sarah Palin's new memoir and downplayed any tension between their campaign aides as "no big deal."...

Historic health care bill nears key Senate vote

AP - SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2009 3:12 P.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Invoking the name of the late Edward M. Kennedy, Senate Democrats sealed a 60-vote majority needed to advance health care legislation Saturday ahead of an evening showdown with opposition Republicans eager to inflict a punishing defeat on President Barack Obama....

Obama trumpets Asia trip as boost to US economy

AP - SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2009 3:04 P.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama's eight-day trip to Asia produced no tangible wins for the United States, though he is citing talks with Asian allies that he says could help create thousands of job and open new markets for American goods in the future....

Terror trials differ in civilian, military courts

AP - SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2009 2:31 P.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The federal courts and military tribunals that will prosecute suspected terrorists vary sharply in their independence, public stature and use of evidence. But the Obama administration has so far offered no clear-cut rationale for how it chooses which system will try a detainee....

Iran to hold war games to protect nuclear sites

AP - SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2009 2:01 P.M.

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- Iran will begin large-scale air defense war games Sunday aimed at protecting its nuclear facilities from possible attack, a senior military commander said Saturday, reflecting the country's concern that Israel could make good on threats to strike militarily....

More Americans expected to travel for Thanksgiving

AP - SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2009 1:16 P.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The number of Americans traveling away from home for Thanksgiving will be up only slightly this year from 2008, according to a report from the AAA auto club....

Holdout Senators Declare They'll Vote With Party

NPR - SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2009 12:53 P.M.

Democrats likely have the 60 votes they need to move ahead with historic health care legislation Saturday night.

Republicans Hope For Just One Defection

NPR - SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2009 8 A.M.

No Republicans will vote Saturday night to advance the Senate's health care bill to full debate, Republican Whip Sen. John Kyl says. That leaves the fate of the vote in the hands of a few moderate Democrats, all of whom are needed to reach the 60 votes required to push the bill forward. Host Scott Simon speaks with Kyl on his party's chances of defeating the bill.

Expect Senate Health Bill To Change, Durbin Says

NPR - SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2009 8 A.M.

The historic health care overhaul plan proposed by Congressional Democrats makes its way to the Senate for a test vote tonight. The sweeping legislation sets the stage for a showdown between Republicans and a fragmented Democratic majority. Sixty votes are required to advance the bill toward full debate. Host Scott Simon speaks with Sen. Dick Durbin, the majority whip of the Senate.

GOP: Health test recommendations could affect care

AP - SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2009 6:24 A.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Republicans are seizing on this week's recommendations for fewer Pap smears and mammograms to fuel concern about government-rationed medical care - and to try to chip away support by women for President Barack Obama's proposed health care overhaul....

US to drop shooting case against Blackwater guard

AP - SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2009 6:18 A.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Justice Department intends to drop manslaughter and weapons charges against one of the Blackwater Worldwide security guards involved in a deadly 2007 Baghdad shooting, prosecutors said in court documents Friday....

Gates: US to do its part to slow Afghan corruption

AP - SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2009 3 A.M.

Week In Politics Examined

NPR - FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2009 4:03 P.M.

Senate Democrats hoped to have enough votes this week to pass a health care bill, Obama Cabinet officials faced hostile lawmakers on Capitol Hill and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's much-awaited book hit bookstores. Political analysts E.J. Dionne, of The Washington Post, and David Brooks, of The New York Times, offer their insight.

FAA says equipment outage caused 819 flight delays

AP - FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2009 3:48 P.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Federal Aviation Administration is blaming an equipment outage this week for delaying 819 flights....

Couple pleads guilty in Cuban spying case

AP - FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2009 3:30 P.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A retired State Department worker and his wife accused of a decades-long plot to spy for Cuba pleaded guilty Friday in a deal that will leave him behind bars for the rest of his life but gives her a chance at freedom in six years....

Ethics committee: No punishment for Burris

AP - FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2009 2:14 P.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Senate ethics committee on Friday admonished Democratic Sen. Roland Burris for misleading investigators about his maneuvering to get Barack Obama's old Senate seat from the governor who was ousted for trying to sell it....

SC lawmakers to take up impeachment of governor

AP - FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2009 1:14 P.M.

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- South Carolina lawmakers plan to formally consider impeaching Gov. Mark Sanford for the first time next week, the chairman of the committee beginning that work said Friday....

US envoy criticizes coverage of Obama China visit

AP - FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2009 1:14 P.M.

BEIJING (AP) -- Washington's ambassador to Beijing hit out Friday at negative U.S. media coverage of President Barack Obama's visit to China, saying it failed to take into account important progress on many issues....

Gates: US to do its part to slow Afghan corruption

AP - FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2009 12:38 P.M.

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia (AP) -- The United States will do its part to reduce corruption in Afghanistan by examining its own contracts and projects, even as it is demanding the same from the Afghan government, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Friday....

Report: 20-somethings can go 2 years between Paps

AP - FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2009 10:27 A.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- First mammograms. Now - in an apparent coincidence - Pap smears....

Sen. Nelson a 'yes' on health care test vote

AP - FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2009 9:30 A.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska is a "yes" in a crucial weekend test vote on health care....

White House at odds with bishops over abortion

AP - FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2009 7:19 A.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The White House is on a collision course with Catholic bishops in an intractable dispute over abortion that could blow up the fragile political coalition behind President Barack Obama's health care overhaul....

Obama drops by daughter Sasha's school for event

AP - FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2009 6:31 A.M.

BETHESDA, Md. (AP) -- Fresh from his weeklong trip through Asia, President Barack Obama is taking time to catch up on dad duty....

AP sources: Giuliani leaning toward Senate run

AP - FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2009 6:14 A.M.

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, encouraged by many Republicans to run for governor in 2010, is instead leaning toward a run for U.S. Senate, according to two party advisers....

Pelosi: Obama Needs Room To Make Afghan Decision

NPR - FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2009 5:18 A.M.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi says she believes a health-care bill will pass, despite fierce debate over language about abortion. She tells Renee Montagne that when it comes to Afghanistan, she doesn't sense wide support among House members for a significant troop increase. Pelosi says she's asked members to give President Obama room to decide his Afghan strategy.

Analysis: Outlook for tough Iran sanctions is dim

AP - FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2009 12:48 A.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Obama administration is shifting the focus of its Iran policy from talk to sanctions, but the prospect of winning early international support for toughened new penalties appears dim....

Pentagon looking for Fort Hood management lapses

AP - FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2009 12:18 A.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Pentagon said Thursday it will scour its procedures for identifying volatile soldiers hidden in the ranks following the Fort Hood shooting rampage and lapses that might allow others to slip through bureaucratic cracks....

House Votes To Cancel Medicare Pay Cuts For Doctors

NPR - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2009 8:56 P.M.

Majority Leader Steny Hoyer was able to get the bill passed while the Senate couldn't by appending it to a more popular bill. Republicans complained that the cost of the measure was not offset and also charged that it was repayment to the AMA for endorsing the Democrats' health care bill.

Army limits media access at Palin event at NC base

AP - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2009 8:37 P.M.

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- The U.S. Army will allow the media limited coverage of Sarah Palin's appearance at Fort Bragg, but will bar reporters from interviewing her or her supporters on the post, officials said Thursday....

House moves to protect doctors from Medicare cuts

AP - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2009 7:52 P.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Democratic-controlled House voted Thursday to add more than $200 billion to the deficit to prevent steep Medicare payment cuts to doctors, a move Republicans denounced as a political payoff....

US Panel sets fees for big firms, aims to slow Fed

AP - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2009 6:46 P.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Taking aim at Wall Street and the U.S. central bank, an important House committee voted Thursday to assess fees on large financial firms to pay for the failure of their peers and to require a sweeping congressional audit of the secretive Federal Reserve....

GOP governors push for 2010 party rebirth

AP - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2009 6:31 P.M.

CEDAR CREEK, Texas (AP) -- Thrilled with twin victories this month, Republican governors are looking to lead a party-wide resurgence in 2010 and shape the GOP for years to come....

Obama faces showdowns on health, Afghanistan, jobs

AP - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2009 5:07 P.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama will have scant time to rest up from his eight-day Asia trip. On Saturday, two days after his return to Washington, the Senate plans a make-or-break vote on his hard-fought plan to overhaul the nation's health care system. Obama also confronts a difficult choice on strategy and troop levels in Afghanistan, which will be criticized no matter what he decides....

The Botax? Nip/tuck levy to help health care plan

AP - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2009 5:05 P.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- They call it the "Botax." The White House and Senate Democrats have turned to a proposal to tax breast implants, tummy tucks, wrinkle-smoothing injections and other procedures as they search for ways to pay for costly health care overhaul plans....

On Capitol Hill, Geithner Defends Policies

NPR - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2009 4 P.M.

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner defended Thursday the administration's handling of the financial crisis, as he again urged Congress to pass a regulatory overhaul that has been months in the making. Geithner faced tough questioning on the bailout of insurance giant AIG and Wall Street bonuses. Republican Congressman Kevin Brady even demanded Geithner's resignation.

Gates says Afghan surge could happen swiftly

AP - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2009 2:42 P.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Defense Secretary Robert Gates said any new U.S. forces President Barack Obama sends to Afghanistan could move into the country swiftly, despite logistical hassles that force almost all major deliveries of troops and supplies to go by air....

STIMULUS WATCH: Did White House overplay job data?

AP - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2009 2:31 P.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The government watchdog overseeing economic stimulus spending said Thursday that, in its rush to take credit for saving hundreds of thousands of jobs, the Obama administration was overly confident in its job-counting and did not acknowledge significant errors in the figures....

Senate passes benefits for vets' caregivers

AP - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2009 1:59 P.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Senate on Thursday unanimously passed legislation that would provide monthly stipends and medical benefits to family members who stay home to care for severely injured veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan....

Troops' post-deployment questionnaires missing

AP - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2009 1:29 P.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Congressional investigators said Thursday that tens of thousands of questionnaires aimed at measuring the mental and physical health of returning combat troops can't be found....

AP Poll: Support for curbs on malpractice lawsuits

AP - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2009 12:45 P.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- It's an issue that Democrats would rather not deal with as they shape a health care overhaul. Yet a new Associated Press poll says most Americans support curbs on medical malpractice lawsuits....

Shell denies asking for delay in drilling plan

AP - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2009 12:31 P.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The president of Shell Oil Co. says the company did not ask a federal agency to delay a decision on the company's request to drill for oil and gas in Alaska's Chukchi Sea....

Many parents inaccurately claim college tax credit

AP - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2009 12:16 P.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- More than 314,000 taxpayers made inaccurate claims for a popular tax credit that helps pay college expenses, getting $532 million they weren't entitled to receive, a government report said Thursday....

GOP Uses Mammogram Study To Attack Health Bill

NPR - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2009 11:30 A.M.

Republicans are suggesting that the new guidelines for breast cancer screening reinforce their nightmare scenario about health care rationing under President Obama's proposed overhaul. The political brouhaha comes as the Senate is about to take up its health care overhaul bill.

GOP Governors Meeting Decidedly Upbeat

NPR - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2009 11 A.M.

The Republican Governors Association is holding its annual meeting this week in Austin, Texas. Thanks to recent election victories in Virginia and New Jersey, Republicans are feeling good again. They plan to use those wins to help the party rebound in 2010.

Obama says US, allies discussing Iran sanctions

AP - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2009 10:28 A.M.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- Showing impatience with Iranian foot-dragging, President Barack Obama said Thursday that the U.S. and its allies are discussing possible new penalties against Iran for defying international attempts to halt its contested nuclear program....

Analysis: US works with and around Afghan leader

AP - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2009 10:28 A.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Obama administration has a simple-sounding strategy for the problem that is Hamid Karzai: Work with him and around him at the same time....

Reid: Congress closer than ever to health overhaul

AP - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2009 10:22 A.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Senate Democratic leader says Congress is closer than ever to overhauling the nation's health care system....

Feinstein seeks national energy standards for TVs

AP - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2009 9:15 A.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Sen. Dianne Feinstein is encouraging the Obama administration to adopt new energy efficiency standards for televisions, similar to those just approved in her home state of California....

3 new ancient crocodile species fossils found

AP - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2009 9:14 A.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A 20-foot-long crocodile with three sets of fangs - like wild boar tusks - roamed parts of northern Africa millions of years ago, researchers reported Thursday....

Sen. Kerry's daughter arrested in LA on DUI

AP - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2009 8:57 A.M.

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The daughter of Sen. John Kerry has been arrested in Hollywood for allegedly driving drunk....

Gov't rewarding firms checking immigrant status

AP - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2009 8:52 A.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Homeland Security Department will give a "seal of approval" to businesses volunteering to use an electronic program to check workers' immigration status....

GAO: Fraud in gov't contracts for disabled vets

AP - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2009 7:37 A.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Companies fraudulently collected at least $100 million in federal contracts from a $4 billion government program designated for disabled military veterans who run small businesses, congressional investigators charge....

Giuliani against trying Mohammed in civilian court

AP - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2009 6:48 A.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani said Thursday that trying self-professed Sept. 11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in a federal civilian court in New York is unwise and unnecessary....

Hundreds cheer Palin in Mich. for book tour

AP - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2009 6:38 A.M.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) -- College students ditched class, employees skipped work and some huddled in the cold overnight just to make sure they get an orange wristband Wednesday that would let them meet Sarah Palin....

U.S.-Cuba PAC Money May Have Changed Votes

NPR - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2009 6 A.M.

A group of Cuban Americans has had unusual success getting House members to change their positions and vote against closer ties with Cuba. New analysis shows some political contributions from the U.S.-Cuba Democracy Pac reached lawmakers within days of them switching their vote.

Task force doctor stands by mammogram advice

AP - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2009 5:52 A.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A member of the independent panel whose new mammogram recommendations have led to confusion defended the task force's report, saying Thursday that it was based on the most up-to-date, accurate information available....

FACT CHECK: Stimulus money to phantom districts?

AP - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2009 12:13 A.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Did the Obama administration really pump billions of dollars into phantom congressional districts?...

Archives probing Watergate notes for hidden clues

AP - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2009 12:09 A.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- It seems history won't rest until someone fills in that 18 1/2-minute Watergate gap....

Holder: No Failure In 9/11 Prosecution

NPR - WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2009 4:04 P.M.

Attorney General Eric Holder told senators Wednesday "failure is not an option" in the prosecution of Sept. 11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. Holder explained his rationale to bring Mohammed and four other terrorism suspects to the U.S. for a civilian trial.

Afghan official said to take bribe for copper deal

AP - WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2009 4:03 P.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A senior Afghan official allegedly took a $20 million bribe to steer a copper mining project to a Chinese company, a glaring example of the claims of corruption clouding the Obama administration's deliberations over expanding the U.S. commitment in Afghanistan....

Senate Democrats May Unveil New Health Bill

NPR - WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2009 4 P.M.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is expected to outline a new health care bill soon designed to meet President Obama's goal of expanding coverage without adding to the deficit. Reid wants to bring the measure to the Senate floor in the next few days.

Remembering Sen. Carl Hayden

NPR - WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2009 4 P.M.

West Virginia Sen. Robert Byrd on Wednesday became the long-serving member of Congress. He took that record from Carl Hayden, a seven-term Senator from Arizona who represented the state for 20,773 days. Jack August, executive director of the Barry Goldwater Center for the Southwest, talks about Hayden's long political career.

Another Obama nominee runs into tax problems

AP - WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2009 3:47 P.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama's choice for a top job in the Treasury Department did not disclose all of her late tax payments until she was repeatedly prodded by Senate investigators, a congressional report issued Wednesday said....

Forest Service says trees can slow climate change

AP - WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2009 3:35 P.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- National forests can be used as a carbon "sink" with vast numbers of trees absorbing carbon dioxide to help slow global warming, the Forest Service chief said Wednesday, but that goal must be balanced....

Interior increases oversight of mountaintop mining

AP - WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2009 2:25 P.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Interior Department said Wednesday it will more closely monitor and review state-approved permits for mountaintop coal mining and also tighten the federal permitting process to better protect streams from mining waste....

Byrd becomes longest-serving Congress member

AP - WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2009 2:02 P.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama saluted Sen. Robert C. Byrd for becoming history's longest-serving member of Congress Wednesday, saying the one-time segregationist had become a touchstone for constitutional values and a role model to all lawmakers....

Obama, Holder predict conviction in 9/11 case

AP - WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2009 1:11 P.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- From opposite ends of the globe, President Barack Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder firmly rejected criticism Wednesday of the planned New York trial of the professed Sept. 11 mastermind and predicted Khalid Sheikh Mohammed would be exposed as a murderous coward, convicted and executed....

Black power has arrived _ with some new challenges

AP - WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2009 1:01 P.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Ten months after Democrats took over the Capitol and the first African-American president moved into the White House, black lawmakers are in control of some of the most powerful positions in Congress - and face new challenges to using their long-sought influence....

Bishops discuss authority over Catholic colleges

AP - WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2009 10:07 A.M.

BALTIMORE (AP) -- Fallout continues from the summer controversy over the University of Notre Dame awarding an honorary degree to President Barack Obama, who supports abortion rights....

Obama: Professed 9/11 mastermind will be convicted

AP - WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2009 9:50 A.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama predicted that professed Sept. 11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed will be convicted and executed as Attorney General Eric Holder proclaimed: "Failure is not an option."...

AP Poll: Public favors gov't health plan

AP - WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2009 9:24 A.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- More Americans support creation of a new government-run health insurance plan to compete with the private insurance market, a new Associated Press poll finds, but the level of enthusiasm depends on how the question is asked....

UN official questions world's hunger commitment

AP - WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2009 8:52 A.M.

ROME (AP) -- The director of a U.N. food agency questioned Wednesday how world powers could commit so much money to fighting the financial crisis and not to feeding the 1 billion hungry....

Reading Sarah Palin: Will She Run For President?

NPR - WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2009 6 A.M.

Sarah Palin, the former governor of Alaska and Republican vice presidential candidate, is now a best-selling author. Palin's book, Going Rogue, made the best-seller list before it was released. She's planning a book tour that will only stoke her meteoric political celebrity. But to what end?

Alaskans eager for Sarah Palin book release

AP - WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2009 5:45 A.M.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) -- Fans in Sarah Palin's home state turned out as early as possible Tuesday to snap up copies of her highly anticipated memoir....

Ford, Subaru, VW win insurance industry picks

AP - WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2009 5:07 A.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Ford, Subaru and Volkswagen lead the insurance industry's annual list of the safest new vehicles, according to a closely watched assessment used by car companies to lure safety-conscious consumers to showrooms....

More than $98 billion in improper gov't payments

AP - WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2009 3:51 A.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- More than $98 billion in taxpayer dollars spent by government agencies was wasted, much of it on questionable claims for tax credits and Medicare benefits, representing an increase of $26 billion from the previous year....

AP Poll: Sometimes it isn't easy being green

AP - WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2009 12:15 A.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A solid majority of Americans recognize the need to help the environment, although there are some things - like buying a hybrid car or taking mass transit - that people often talk about, but don't necessarily act on....

SPIN METER: Feds buy green cars, auction rejects

AP - WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2009 12:14 A.M.

If you missed out on Washington's cash incentive program to trade in your old clunker, Uncle Sam still has a deal for you: The government will sell you rejects from its own fleet, even as it makes dealers scrap all those old cars that were collected from the public....

PROMISES, PROMISES: 6 years and still no rules

AP - WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2009 12:10 A.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Eight years after the 9/11 attacks brought a new focus on security at airplane maintenance facilities - and six years after Congress first required action - the government still hasn't tightened its vigilance....

White House: Israeli housing plans dismaying

AP - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2009 9:27 P.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The White House rebuked Israel with heavy criticism Tuesday after the Jerusalem city government moved toward the construction of 900 additional housing units in a Jewish neighborhood in East Jerusalem, which Palestinians claim for the capital of their future state....

Obama, Chinese premier tout deepening ties

AP - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2009 8:31 P.M.

BEIJING (AP) -- President Barack Obama says the U.S. relationship with China is deepening beyond trade and economics to cover climate, security and other matters of international concern....

Obama: Rally the world for climate deal next month

AP - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2009 6:50 P.M.

BEIJING (AP) -- President Barack Obama, with China's leader at his side, lifted his sights Tuesday for a broad interim accord at next month's climate conference that he said will lead to immediate action and "rally the world" toward a solution on global warming....

Fort Hood slayings prompt full Pentagon review

AP - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2009 6:50 P.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Worried that the Army may have missed red flags about the alleged shooter in the Fort Hood massacre, the Pentagon probably will open an inquiry into how all the military services keep watch on other volatile soldiers hidden in their ranks, officials said Tuesday....

Biden's police advance car in NYC traffic accident

AP - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2009 5:43 P.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Secret Service says a police advance car working ahead of Vice President Joe Biden's motorcade was involved in a traffic accident Tuesday evening in New York....

Geithner: US must not drop ball on financial fix

AP - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2009 4:49 P.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner told Congress on Tuesday that efforts to strengthen the global financial system to prevent another deep crisis will falter if the United States drops the ball on overhauling regulation of its own banking system....

Army suicides to top 2008, but progress reported

AP - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2009 4:45 P.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Soldier suicides this year are almost sure to top last year's grim totals, but a recent decline in the pace of such incidents could mean the Army is starting to make progress in stemming them, officials said Tuesday....

Senators blast Web sites for scamming shoppers

AP - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2009 4:28 P.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- With Cyber Monday, the unofficial start of the Internet holiday shopping season nearing, a Senate committee Tuesday condemned three online companies, saying they are tricking consumers into signing up for subscription services they don't want....

Controversial court nominee survives Senate test

AP - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2009 3:07 P.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Democrats on Tuesday crushed a Senate filibuster against a controversial appeals court nominee, demonstrating to Republicans they can't stop President Barack Obama from turning the federal judiciary to the left....

SPIN METER: Did Obama grovel?

AP - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2009 2:40 P.M.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Some conservative commentators seized on President Barack Obama's deep bow to Japan's Emperor Akihito over the weekend, accusing the U.S. commander in chief of groveling before a foreign leader....

Lawmaker: What if terrorists took NYC mayor's kid

AP - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2009 1:34 P.M.

NEW YORK (AP) -- An Arizona congressman who believes it's a security risk to prosecute suspected Sept. 11 terrorists in Manhattan apologized Tuesday for suggesting New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's family could be in danger with such a high-profile case in town....

First US trial of 9/11 case was full of surprises

AP - TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2009 1:28 P.M.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) -- Zacarias Moussaoui was a clown who could not keep his mouth shut, according to his old al-Qaida boss, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed. But Moussaoui was surprisingly tame when tried for the 9/11 attacks - never turning the courtroom into the circus of anti-U.S. tirades that some fear Mohammed will create at his trial in New York....