Obama Adviser Warns Against Tax Cuts For Wealthy

WASHINGTON - Temporarily extending tax cuts for the rich opens the door to permanent tax cuts and that is something the United States cannot afford, an economic advisor to President Barack Obama said on Tuesday.

U.S. Turns Down China Currency Probes In Two Cases

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Commerce Department decided on Tuesday not to investigate whether China subsidizes exports to the United States by undervaluing its currency, prompting renewed calls for Congress to act on the issue.

U.S. Regulators Probe Hyundai Sonata Steering

DETROIT - U.S. safety regulators have opened a preliminary investigation into claims that Hyundai Motor Co's Sonata sedan may have steering problems, government officials said on Tuesday.

U.S. Jails Accused Bin Laden Aide For Life

NEW YORK - An accused former top aide to Osama bin Laden was sentenced on Tuesday to life in prison for stabbing a guard through the eye with a sharpened comb while awaiting trial for conspiring with al Qaeda to kill Americans.

Texas Governor Offers School Grants To Spur Sharing

NEW YORK - Texas schools that cut bureaucratic costs by sharing services -- from accounting to transportation -- would get grants worth 10 percent of their savings under a plan Governor Rick Perry proposed on Tuesday.

NY Cracks Down On Building Trade's "cash" Economy

NEW YORK - New York state's construction companies will be subject to new criminal and civil penalties if they misclassify employees as contractors to underpay them or dodge taxes, Governor David Paterson said on Tuesday.

Chinese Man Charged With Stealing U.S. Trade Secrets

CHICAGO - A Chinese scientist has been arrested and charged with stealing trade secrets from an Indiana agricultural company where he worked developing organic insecticides, prosecutors said on Tuesday.

Reid Hopeful For GOP Energy Votes After Elections

WASHINGTON - Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said he hoped to pick up Republican votes for a pared-down energy bill after the midterm congressional elections.

CEO Layoff Leaders Also Led In Pay In '09: Study

BOSTON - As U.S. companies shed millions of workers during the recession, the CEOs who laid off the most people brought home pay that was significantly higher than that of their peers, a study released on Thursday found.

Hurricane Earl Could Sideswipe East Coast

MIAMI - Powerful Hurricane Earl churned toward the eastern U.S. seaboard on Tuesday and looked to sideswipe the densely populated coast from North Carolina to New England, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.

NY State Comptroller Probes MTA For Overtime Fraud

NEW YORK - New York's state comptroller said on Monday his office will probe the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which says overtime costs it $560 million a year, to see if any paychecks were inflated through fraud.

U.S. Proposes Grading Cars On Emissions, Efficiency

WASHINGTON - Gasoline misers like the Toyota Prius would get an 'A-' while muscle cars -- including the Ferrari 612 -- would get a 'D' under a labeling program proposed by Obama administration, which wants to convince consumers to buy vehicles that use less energy.

Bad Weather Delays Retrieval BP Blowout Preventer: US Gov't

HOUSTON - BP Plc delayed retrieval of the failed blowout preventer atop its ruptured Gulf of Mexico oil well this week because of bad weather, the top U.S. official overseeing the oil spill said on Monday.

Biden Visits Iraq As Troops Withdraw

BAGHDAD - Vice President Joe Biden flew into Iraq on Monday to assure Iraqis the United States is not abandoning them as it stops combat operations, a milestone in the 7-1/2 year war the Obama administration is trying to end.

Obama, Advisers Discussed More Steps On Economy

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama said on Monday he and his economic team discussed additional steps to promote economic growth, including looking at tax cuts for businesses.

Seven U.S. Troops Killed In South Afghan Bombings

KABUL - Seven U.S. troops were killed in two separate roadside bomb attacks in southern Afghanistan on Monday, the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said.

Crash Investigators Reassess Aircraft Braking: Report

- Crash investigators are re-evaluating the performance of aircraft braking systems in rainy conditions, following the overshooting of an American Airlines plane on the runway while landing in Jamaica last year, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Rights Groups Challenge Obama On Targeted Killings

WASHINGTON - Civil liberties groups sued the Obama administration on Monday over a program they said illegally tries to kill U.S. citizens believed to be militants living abroad, like the anti-American cleric Anwar al-Awlaki.

U.S. Egg Producers Failed To Follow Own Safety Plans

CHICAGO - Two Iowa egg farms linked to a salmonella outbreak that has sickened thousands failed to follow their own safety plans, allowing rodents and other animals into poultry houses, U.S. Food and Drug Administration inspectors found.

Strengthening Hurricane Earl May Rake U.S. East Coast

MIAMI - Hurricane Earl strengthened into a powerful Category 4 storm on Monday after lashing the northeast Caribbean islands, and was expected to swipe the U.S. East Coast in the next few days, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.

Policy Shift May Allow Some Illegal Immigrants To Stay

PHOENIX - A shake-up in immigration policy may lead to deportation proceedings being dropped for thousands of aliens who entered the United States illegally but are applying to stay in the country, officials said on Friday.

Beck, Palin Urge Patriotic Values At D.C. Rally

WASHINGTON - Tens of thousands of Americans rallied in front of the Lincoln Memorial on Saturday to hear speeches about God and country in a conservative show of strength ahead of congressional elections this fall.

Cargill Recalls Ground Beef After E.coli Illness

WASHINGTON - Agribusiness giant Cargill Inc has recalled about 8,500 pounds (3,900 kg) of ground beef after officials determined a cluster of E. coli illnesses in Maine and New York are related to the products, the U.S. Agriculture Department said on Saturday.

Ground Zero Muslim Center May Get Public Financing

NEW YORK - The Muslim center planned near the site of the World Trade Center attack could qualify for tax-free financing, a spokesman for City Comptroller John Liu said on Friday, and Liu is willing to consider approving the public subsidy.

George Clooney Wins Humanitarian Award At Emmys

LOS ANGELES - George Clooney on Sunday added another trophy to his Oscar, two Golden Globes and slew of movie critics awards -- but this one had nothing to do with acting.

Hurricane Earl Strengthens To Category 2 Storm

MIAMI - Hurricane Earl strengthened to a Category 2 storm on a track toward islands in the eastern Caribbean on Sunday, while Hurricane Danielle weakened to a Category 1 storm, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.

Federer And Clijsters To Lead Parade Of Champions

NEW YORK - Switzerland's Roger Federer and Belgian Kim Clijsters are among five former champions in action on a busy opening day at the U.S. Open on Monday.

Obama Says Not Worried By Muslim "rumors"

WASHINGTON - A public opinion poll showing Americans are increasingly convinced, wrongly, that he is Muslim does not trouble him, President Barack Obama said on Sunday.

First-timers And New Shows Shake Up Emmy Awards

LOS ANGELES - It was out with the old and in with the new at the Primetime Emmy awards on Sunday, with a slew of first-timers and new shows shaking up the U.S. television industry's highest honors.

Obama Vows To Finish Gulf Coast Recovery

NEW ORLEANS - President Barack Obama pledged on Sunday to finish restoring the Gulf Coast area hit by Hurricane Katrina, five years after the storm ravaged the region and hurt the credibility of his Republican predecessor.

U.S. Concerned About Egg Recall, No Comment On Probe

FORT COLLINS, Colo. - Attorney General Eric Holder said on Friday his office was concerned about the massive egg recall from the Iowa farms but would not comment if his office was considering opening an investigation.

Tropical Storm Earl Poised To Become Hurricane

MIAMI - Tropical Storm Earl looked poised on Saturday to become the next hurricane to form over the Atlantic Ocean and was aimed at the Northern Leeward Islands, while Hurricane Danielle weakened to a Category 2 storm.

U.S. Seeks Extradition Of Caribbean Ponzi Schemer

MIAMI - U.S. authorities want to extradite from the Turks and Caicos Islands a Jamaican banker accused of running a Ponzi scheme that bilked investors out of nearly $300 million in one of the Caribbean's biggest financial fraud cases, a law enforcement official said on Friday.

U.S. Analyst Charged With Leak To News Reporter

WASHINGTON - A foreign policy analyst who worked at the State Department has been charged with leaking a top-secret intelligence report to a news reporter last year, the Justice Department said on Friday.

U.S. Immigration Agents Arrest 370 In Midwest Sweep

CHICAGO - U.S. immigration agents arrested 370 illegal immigrants, most of whom were convicted criminals, in a three-day sweep of 10 Midwestern states, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said on Friday.

On Louisiana Coast, Residents Bemoan A Lost Summer

HOUSTON - On a typical summer weekend in Grand Isle, Louisiana, Frank Besson's small gift shop would be filled with customers picking up a souvenir as they headed back home from a weekend visit to the beach.

Policy Shift May Allow Some Illegal Immigrants To Stay

PHOENIX - A shake-up in immigration policy may lead to deportation proceedings being dropped for thousands of aliens who entered the United States illegally but are applying to stay in the country, officials said on Friday.

Cargill Recalls Ground Beef After E.coli Illness

WASHINGTON - Agribusiness giant Cargill Inc has recalled about 8,500 pounds (3,900 kg) of ground beef after officials determined a cluster of E. coli illnesses in Maine and New York are related to the products, the U.S. Agriculture Department said on Saturday.

Ground Zero Muslim Center May Get Public Financing

NEW YORK - The Muslim center planned near the site of the World Trade Center attack could qualify for tax-free financing, a spokesman for City Comptroller John Liu said on Friday, and Liu is willing to consider approving the public subsidy.

Beck, Palin Urge Patriotic Values At D.C. Rally

WASHINGTON - Tens of thousands of Americans rallied in front of the Lincoln Memorial on Saturday to hear speeches about God and country in a conservative show of strength ahead of congressional elections this fall.

Ford Recalls 575,000 Windstar Vans In U.S., Canada

DETROIT - Ford Motor Co> is recalling about 575,000 Windstar vans in 21 cold-weather U.S. states and Canada from model years 1998 to 2003 because of the possibility that the rear axle may fracture due to corrosion, federal regulators reported on Friday.

Paul Allen's Firm Sues Silicon Valley Giants

SAN FRANCISCO - A company linked to Microsoft Corp co-founder Paul Allen is suing 11 major corporations, including Apple, Google and Facebook, accusing them of infringing on technology patents.

U.S. Concerned About Egg Recall, No Comment On Probe

FORT COLLINS, Colo. - Attorney General Eric Holder said on Friday his office was concerned about the massive egg recall from the Iowa farms but would not comment if his office was considering opening an investigation.

Hurricane Danielle Weakens To Category 3 Storm

MIAMI - Hurricane Danielle weakened to a Category 3 storm on Saturday, as the season's first major hurricane churned over the open Atlantic Ocean, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.

U.S. Seeks Extradition Of Caribbean Ponzi Schemer

MIAMI - U.S. authorities want to extradite from the Turks and Caicos Islands a Jamaican banker accused of running a Ponzi scheme that bilked investors out of nearly $300 million in one of the Caribbean's biggest financial fraud cases, a law enforcement official said on Friday.

U.S. Analyst Charged With Leak To News Reporter

WASHINGTON - A foreign policy analyst who worked at the State Department has been charged with leaking a top-secret intelligence report to a news reporter last year, the Justice Department said on Friday.

U.S. Immigration Agents Arrest 370 In Midwest Sweep

CHICAGO - U.S. immigration agents arrested 370 illegal immigrants, most of whom were convicted criminals, in a three-day sweep of 10 Midwestern states, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said on Friday.

On Louisiana Coast, Residents Bemoan A Lost Summer

HOUSTON - On a typical summer weekend in Grand Isle, Louisiana, Frank Besson's small gift shop would be filled with customers picking up a souvenir as they headed back home from a weekend visit to the beach.

Policy Shift May Allow Some Illegal Immigrants To Stay

PHOENIX - A shake-up in immigration policy may lead to deportation proceedings being dropped for thousands of aliens who entered the United States illegally but are applying to stay in the country, officials said on Friday.

Ground Zero Muslim Center May Get Public Financing

NEW YORK - The Muslim center planned near the site of the World Trade Center attack could qualify for tax-free financing, a spokesman for City Comptroller John Liu said on Friday, and Liu is willing to consider approving the public subsidy.

U.S. Banks Lobby Fed On Debit Card Fee Limits

WASHINGTON - The Federal Reserve has begun taking the first steps to crack down on debit-card transaction fees, with the battle between merchants and banks moving from the legislative to the regulatory arena.

Governor Seeks Release Of American Held In Cuba

HAVANA - New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson said on Thursday he urged Cuba to release a U.S. contractor, Alan Gross, held on the communist-run island since December on suspicion of spying and felt he had made "inroads" in the case that has stalled U.S.-Cuba relations.

Toyota To Recall 1.3 Million Cars In U.S., Canada

DETROIT - Toyota Motor Corp said on Thursday it would recall 1.3 million Corolla and Matrix cars in the United States and Canada because of defective engine control modules that could cause the vehicles to stall.

Rodriguez's "Machete" In Immigration Debate

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - In Robert Rodriguez's new grindhouse feature "Machete," the vengeful title character uses vicious cutlery to butcher his enemies. Could something similar happen to the movie when it's released next week?

World Trade Center Deal May Hasten Rebuilding

NEW YORK - The land owner and developer building the long-delayed new World Trade Center sealed a deal on Thursday to speed construction just over a year shy of the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks.

NJ Gov: Make Cities' Aid Hinge On Cuts, Performance

NEW YORK - Hundreds of millions of dollars of state aid for cities, towns and villages in New Jersey should depend on them meeting performance targets, the administration of Governor Chris Christie said on Thursday.

Roger Clemens To Be Arraigned Monday

WASHINGTON - Former baseball pitching star Roger Clemens will be arraigned on Monday on charges he lied to the Congress about his use of drugs to boost his performance, according to a schedule issued on Thursday.

Wounded NY Cabbie Says Religion Had Role In Attack

NEW YORK - A Muslim taxi driver wounded in a stabbing said Thursday he believed he was attacked because of his religion but did not blame the public furor over a proposed Islamic center and mosque near the World Trade Center site.

U.S. Welcomes Release Of American Freed By North Korea

WASHINGTON - The State Department on Friday welcomed the release of an American who had been imprisoned in North Korea and thanked former President Jimmy Carter for bringing him home.

FDA Ties Chicken Feed To Salmonella In Egg Recall

WASHINGTON - Bacteria found in chicken feed used at two Iowa farms has been linked to a salmonella outbreak that prompted the recall of more than a half billion contaminated eggs, U.S. regulators said on Thursday.

Tropical Storm Earl Forms In Eastern Atlantic

NEW YORK - Tropical Depression Seven in the far eastern Atlantic Ocean strengthened into Tropical Storm Earl late Wednesday, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said in its latest advisory.

NYC Council OKs Skyscraper Near Empire State

NEW YORK - A soaring new office building planned for midtown Manhattan won the approval of the New York City Council on Wednesday, despite objections from the Empire State Building that it will diminish the iconic skyline.

Food Price Inflation Lowest Since 1992: USDA

WASHINGTON - U.S. food prices are forecast to rise at their lowest rate since 1992, the Agriculture Department said on Wednesday, showing the recent surge in agriculture prices for everything from hogs to wheat has not had an impact at the dinner table so far.

Towers Deal For World Trade Center Site Seen This Week

NEW YORK - A deal likely to speed construction of two new towers on the site of the former World Trade Center in Manhattan is expected this week, a source familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.

California Delays $3 Bln For Local Governments

SAN FRANCISCO - Local governments in California are scrambling to respond to the state government's decision to delay nearly $3 billion in funds for them, with some tapping reserves to keep programs fully funded.

U.S. Spill Panel Question Drilling Policy

WASHINGTON - The BP oil spill was a massive "failure" in government oversight and administrations should be forced to consult with experts in the field before making expansive drilling policy, top officials of the White House's oil spill commission said on Wednesday.

WikiLeaks Releases CIA Memo On U.S. Terror Recruits

WASHINGTON - The WikiLeaks website released a secret CIA memo on Wednesday warning of fallout if the United States came to be seen as an "exporter of terrorism," given al Qaeda's interest in American recruits.

Spies Behind 2008 Cyber Attack, U.S. Official Says

WASHINGTON - A foreign spy agency led a 2008 cyber attack on U.S. military computer systems, a top Pentagon official said, shedding light on what he called the most significant breach of American military cyber security.

Wal-Mart Stores Appeals Sex Discrimination Case

SAN FRANCISCO - The world's largest retailer has asked the Supreme Court to halt a mammoth sex-discrimination case brought by its women workers, according to a Wednesday court filing.

NY Muslim Project Spurs Support Coalition

NEW YORK - Muslim, Jewish, Christian and civic groups formed a coalition on Wednesday to back a plan for a Muslim center near the site of the World Trade Center attacks in New York that has sparked heated national debate.

U.S. Probes Old Jeep Grand Cherokees For Fire Risk

DETROIT - U.S. safety regulators have opened a preliminary investigation of about 3 million older Jeep Grand Cherokees with fuel tanks that may present a fire risk in a crash, the regulators' website showed on Tuesday.

Tyson Unit Recalls Deli Sandwiches Sold At Wal-Mart

WASHINGTON - A unit of Tyson Foods Inc has recalled 380,000 pounds of deli meat that may be contaminated with listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria that can cause food poisoning, the U.S. Agriculture Department said.

Marines Don't Want To Share Rooms With Gays: General

WASHINGTON - The overwhelming majority of Marines oppose sharing sleeping quarters with openly serving gays and lesbians, an obstacle if Congress lifts the ban on gays in the U.S. military, the top Marine said on Tuesday.

Florida Says Visitors Up Despite Gulf Oil Spill

MIAMI - The number of visitors to Florida from April through June increased, despite the BP Gulf of Mexico oil spill, but the rise in tourists would have been much bigger without the disaster, a state tourism official said on Tuesday.

New York Governor Seeks Peace On Mosque Issue

NEW YORK - New York political leaders sought on Tuesday to defuse tension over a proposed Muslim cultural center two blocks from the World Trade Center site, with the governor criticizing the tone of some opponents' rhetoric and the mayor hosting a Muslim ceremony.

Feds Find Egregious Safety Violations At U.S. Mines

NEW YORK - More than four months after the worst U.S. mining accident in decades, federal mine officials have uncovered safety violations during surprise inspections at four underground coal mines, the Mine Safety and Health Administration said on Tuesday.

Rig Official Cites "confusion" Over Well Key Test

HOUSTON - There was "confusion" over the results of a key pressure test of the Macondo well hours before the Deepwater Horizon rig exploded in April, a senior rig official told federal investigators on Tuesday.

"Stunned" Government To Appeal Stem-cell Ruling

WASHINGTON - Stunned and disappointed Obama administration officials said on Tuesday they would appeal a federal court ruling that temporarily barred federal funding of embryonic stem cell research.

FedEx Sues In Bid To Halt NYAG Cuomo Probe

NEW YORK - FedEx Corp sued New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday seeking to stop an investigation of the air and ground delivery services company over allegations of civil fraud, arguing that his office had exceeded its authority.

Spill Panel Examines Offshore Drilling Policy

WASHINGTON - The White House oil spill commission on Wednesday will probe U.S. offshore drilling policies and consider pushing the oil industry to accept a self-governing body to help oversee tough safety standards.

Crews Work To Shut 2nd Louisiana Oil Well Blowout

HOUSTON - Crews were working Monday to control an oil well blowout that has forced evacuation of homes and businesses near Belle Rose, Louisiana, about 70 miles west of New Orleans, officials said.

Levi Johnston To Run For Sarah Palin's Old Job

LOS ANGELES - Levi Johnston, the former fiance of Sarah Palin's teenage daughter Bristol, has filed official papers saying he intends to run for political office in Palin's Wasilla, Alaska hometown.

Empire State Building Opposes Height Of Neighbor

NEW YORK - A soaring new office tower in New York would disturb views of the Empire State Building and diminish the signature symbol of the city's skyline, the famous skyscraper's managers said on Monday at city council hearings.

U.S. Agency Steps Up Probe Into Corolla Stalling

DETROIT - U.S. auto safety regulators have stepped up an investigation into the risk that up to 1.2 million Toyota Motor Corp Corolla and Matrix vehicles could stall due to defective electronic engine control units.

Americans Confused About Healthcare Reform: Poll

CHICAGO - Julia Wood, a 51-year-old mother of 12 from Chicago's East side, has some health insurance through a state program -- but is so worried she may lose it she asks not to give her real name.

Mexican Woman Wins Miss Universe Contest

LOS ANGELES - Jimena Navarrete, a 22-year-old model from Mexico, was named Miss Universe in Las Vegas on Monday, extending Latin America's domination of the pageant to three consecutive years.

Tiger Woods And Wife Divorce After Sex Scandal

MIAMI - The world's No. 1 golfer, Tiger Woods, and his Swedish wife, Elin Nordegren, divorced on Monday following the torrid sex scandal that engulfed Woods late last year.

Texas Breaks Electric Record As Schools Reopen

HOUSTON - Texas set a fourth all-time electric use record on Monday afternoon as many school districts and universities across the state resumed classes, boosting air conditioning demand and straining power supplies, according to initial data from the state grid operator.

Carter To Visit North Korea Over U.S. Prisoner: Report

SEOUL - Former President Jimmy Carter will travel to isolated North Korea within days to win the release of an American prisoner there, media reports said on Tuesday.

U.S. Probes Egg Recall Amid Calls For Tighter Rules

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration commissioner on Monday said there may be more recalls of eggs in the salmonella outbreak and the agency did not yet know how the eggs and chickens were contaminated.

Connecticut Ratings Cases May Proceed

NEW YORK - Lawsuits by the Connecticut Attorney General accusing three credit ratings agencies with giving artificially low credit ratings to municipalities can proceed in a Connecticut state court, a judge ruled.

Blackwater Settles U.S. Export Violations: Report

NEW YORK - The private security contractor previously known as Blackwater Worldwide, which has protected U.S. officials in Afghanistan and Iraq, has agreed to pay $42 million in fines for hundreds of violations of U.S. export rules, the New York Times reported on Friday.

Blagojevich Rules Out Plea Deal If Tried Again

NEW YORK - Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich remained defiant and unrepentant in a television interview on Friday, saying he would change very little about the events that led to his conviction on one of 24 federal corruption counts.

Second Iowa Farm Recalls Eggs In Salmonella Sweep

WASHINGTON - A second Iowa egg farm is recalling eggs as part of an investigation into a U.S. salmonella outbreak that is linked to almost 300 illnesses across the country, federal regulators said on Friday.

Lies To Cover Up Crime Often Draw Charges

WASHINGTON - The high-profile cases of pitching great Roger Clemens and former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich highlight a well-worn strategy by prosecutors: if you can't bust them for the crime, try nailing them for lying about it.

Guantanamo Judge Says Sees No Torture Of Canadian

MIAMI - A military judge has ruled there is no credible evidence that a Canadian prisoner on trial in Guantanamo on murder and terrorism conspiracy charges was tortured into confessing after his capture in Afghanistan.

BP Told To Submit Blowout Preventer Removal Plan

HOUSTON - BP Plc will remove a failed blowout preventer from its ruptured Macondo well in the Gulf of Mexico under watchful eyes of investigators probing the deadly April 20 explosion, the top U.S. official overseeing the oil spill response said.

Muslim Center Dispute Sparks New York Rallies

NEW YORK - Supporters and opponents of a proposed Muslim cultural center and mosque near the World Trade Center site staged competing rallies in downtown Manhattan on Sunday, kept apart by police and barricades.

Compensation Czar Takes Charge Of $20 Billion BP Fund

NEW ORLEANS - A $20 billion compensation fund for economic victims of the BP Gulf oil spill opens for business on Monday amid accusations that the rules established by its administrator are unfair.

Americans Confused About Healthcare Reform: Poll

CHICAGO - Julia Wood, a 51-year-old mother of 12 from Chicago's East side, has some health insurance through a state program -- but is so worried she may lose it she asks not to give her real name.

Clemens Indicted For Lying To Congress

WASHINGTON - Baseball great Roger Clemens, one of the best pitchers in the sport's history, was indicted on Thursday for lying to the U.S. Congress when he denied using anabolic steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs.

Connecticut Ratings Cases May Proceed

NEW YORK - Lawsuits by the Connecticut Attorney General accusing three credit ratings agencies with giving artificially low credit ratings to municipalities can proceed in a Connecticut state court, a judge ruled.

BP Settlements May Shield Top Defendants: Report

WASHINGTON - Those seeking a settlement from the BP $20 billion compensation fund may have to waive their rights to sue all major defendants involved with the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, not just BP, the New York Times reported on Friday.

Blackwater Settles U.S. Export Violations: Report

NEW YORK - The private security contractor previously known as Blackwater Worldwide, which has protected U.S. officials in Afghanistan and Iraq, has agreed to pay $42 million in fines for hundreds of violations of U.S. export rules, the New York Times reported on Friday.

Blagojevich Rules Out Plea Deal If Tried Again

NEW YORK - Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich remained defiant and unrepentant in a television interview on Friday, saying he would change very little about the events that led to his conviction on one of 24 federal corruption counts.

Second Iowa Farm Recalls Eggs In Salmonella Sweep

WASHINGTON - A second Iowa egg farm is recalling eggs as part of an investigation into a U.S. salmonella outbreak that is linked to almost 300 illnesses across the country, federal regulators said on Friday.

Lies To Cover Up Crime Often Draw Charges

WASHINGTON - The high-profile cases of pitching great Roger Clemens and former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich highlight a well-worn strategy by prosecutors: if you can't bust them for the crime, try nailing them for lying about it.

Americans Still Associate Islam With Violence

NEW YORK - The furor over plans to build a Muslim cultural center near the World Trade Center site shows nine years of efforts to separate Islam from association with terrorism have largely failed, experts say.

Guantanamo Judge Says Sees No Torture Of Canadian

MIAMI - A military judge has ruled there is no credible evidence that a Canadian prisoner on trial in Guantanamo on murder and terrorism conspiracy charges was tortured into confessing after his capture in Afghanistan.

BP Told To Submit Blowout Preventer Removal Plan

HOUSTON - BP Plc will remove a failed blowout preventer from its ruptured Macondo well in the Gulf of Mexico under watchful eyes of investigators probing the deadly April 20 explosion, the top U.S. official overseeing the oil spill response said.

Muslims Regularly Pray Near Pentagon September 11 Site

WASHINGTON - While plans for a cultural center and mosque near the site of the September 11 attacks in New York have ignited a hot political debate, Muslims regularly pray at a chapel near where a hijacked jet slammed into the Pentagon nine years ago.

Final BP Well Plug Delayed Until September

HOUSTON - BP Plc likely won't put the final plug in its blown-out Gulf of Mexico oil well until September to allow replacement of a critical piece of seabed equipment, the top U.S. oil spill official said on Thursday.

Clemens Indicted For Lying To Congress

WASHINGTON - Baseball great Roger Clemens, one of the best pitchers in the sport's history, was indicted on Thursday for lying to the U.S. Congress when he denied using anabolic steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs.

Connecticut Ratings Cases May Proceed

NEW YORK - Lawsuits by the Connecticut Attorney General accusing three credit ratings agencies with giving artificially low credit ratings to municipalities can proceed in a Connecticut state court, a judge ruled.

BP Settlements May Shield Top Defendants: Report

WASHINGTON - Those seeking a settlement from the BP $20 billion compensation fund may have to waive their rights to sue all major defendants involved with the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, not just BP, the New York Times reported on Friday.

Blackwater Settles U.S. Export Violations: Report

NEW YORK - The private security contractor previously known as Blackwater Worldwide, which has protected U.S. officials in Afghanistan and Iraq, has agreed to pay $42 million in fines for hundreds of violations of U.S. export rules, the New York Times reported on Friday.

Blagojevich Rules Out Plea Deal If Tried Again

NEW YORK - Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich remained defiant and unrepentant in a television interview on Friday, saying he would change very little about the events that led to his conviction on one of 24 federal corruption counts.

Second Iowa Farm Recalls Eggs In Salmonella Sweep

WASHINGTON - A second Iowa egg farm is recalling eggs as part of an investigation into a U.S. salmonella outbreak that is linked to almost 300 illnesses across the country, federal regulators said on Friday.

Lies To Cover Up Crime Often Draw Charges

WASHINGTON - The high-profile cases of pitching great Roger Clemens and former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich highlight a well-worn strategy by prosecutors: if you can't bust them for the crime, try nailing them for lying about it.

Americans Still Associate Islam With Violence

NEW YORK - The furor over plans to build a Muslim cultural center near the World Trade Center site shows nine years of efforts to separate Islam from association with terrorism have largely failed, experts say.

Cuomo Subpoenas 5 More Insurers In Benefits Probe

NEW YORK - New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has subpoenaed five more insurers in a widening probe into whether the industry has defrauded families of deceased members of the military.

Gold Bullion Stolen From Florida Treasure Museum

MIAMI - Thieves stole a $550,000 gold bar from a treasure museum where it went on display after a Florida salvager recovered it from the wreck of a Spanish galleon that lay on the ocean floor for centuries, the museum's executive director said.

FAA Close To Fine Against American Airlines: Source

WASHINGTON/CHICAGO -The U.S. government is close to proposing a substantial fine against American Airlines, a unit of AMR Corp, for alleged maintenance and inspection violations that led to the grounding of hundreds of planes and the cancellation of thousands of flights in 2008.

New York Haitians Wary Of Wyclef Jean President Bid

NEW YORK - Hip-hop star Wyclef Jean's love for his homeland is not doubted by Haitians in New York -- one of the largest communities outside the Caribbean nation -- but many are wary of his campaign to become Haiti's president.

U.S. Lawmakers Cheer As China Steel Firm Backs Out

WASHINGTON - Lawmakers from U.S. steel-producing states on Thursday cheered a decision by Chinese steel company Anshan Iron & Steel Group to back off plans to invest in a U.S. steel plant.

Muslims Regularly Pray Near Pentagon September 11 Site

WASHINGTON - While plans for a cultural center and mosque near the site of the September 11 attacks in New York have ignited a hot political debate, Muslims regularly pray at a chapel near where a hijacked jet slammed into the Pentagon nine years ago.

Final BP Well Plug Delayed Until September

HOUSTON - BP Plc likely won't put the final plug in its blown-out Gulf of Mexico oil well until September to allow replacement of a critical piece of seabed equipment, the top U.S. oil spill official said on Thursday.

Mother Claims Child Died Due BP Refinery Pollution

HOUSTON - A woman sued BP Plc's North American subsidiary on Thursday, claiming excess pollution from the company's refinery in Texas City, Texas, contributed to her infant child's death.

More U.S. Cases Expected In Illness Linked To Eggs

WASHINGTON - More cases of food-borne illness are likely in a U.S. salmonella outbreak that sickened hundreds of people in three states and prompted a nationwide recall of suspect eggs, a federal official said on Thursday.

Clemens Indicted For Lying To Congress

WASHINGTON - Baseball great Roger Clemens, one of the best pitchers in the sport's history, was indicted on Thursday for lying to the U.S. Congress when he denied using anabolic steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs.

Dr. Laura To End Radio Talk Show After Racial Slurs

LOS ANGELES - Outspoken radio show host Dr. Laura Schlessinger will end her 30-year career on talk radio after coming under attack in recent days for using a racial slur 11 times on the air.

More Tests, Preparation Ahead Of Final BP Well Kill

HOUSTON - BP Plc has more testing ahead before it can finally kill its ruptured Gulf of Mexico oil well, the top official overseeing the spill response said on Wednesday.

One-fourth Of Renters Will Never Buy A Home: Survey

NEW YORK - More than a quarter of Americans currently renting houses and apartments have no intention to ever buy a home, according to a survey published on Wednesday.

Health Reform Spurs Change For Big Employers: Survey

WASHINGTON - Many of the biggest U.S. companies are removing spending limits from their employees' health plans and taking other steps to comply with the new healthcare law, according to a report released on Wednesday.

Survey Finds More Families Shop Early For School

CHICAGO - Families are finishing more of their back-to-school shopping earlier this year than last year, according to a survey released Thursday.

Egg Recall Expanded In Salmonella Outbreak

WASHINGTON - A nationwide recall of eggs linked to an outbreak of salmonella that has sickened hundreds of people in three U.S. states has been expanded and now covers 380 million eggs.

Americans Divided On Gulf Offshore Drilling: Poll

WASHINGTON - Americans are almost equally divided on whether the Obama Administration should lift the moratorium on offshore oil drilling and on the possibility of BP returning to explore in the area of its massive spill, according to a new Gallup poll.

Lawmakers Brace For Budget Deficit Update

WASHINGTON - Congressional analysts are set to release an authoritative outlook on budget deficits on Thursday as President Barack Obama tries to ease voter anxiety about the spending gaps that some fear may thwart efforts to revive the economy.

Sept 11 Anniversary Set For Muslim Center Marches

NEW YORK - Opponents and supporters of a planned Muslim cultural center and mosque near the site of New York's World Trade Center will mark the ninth anniversary of the Sept 11 attacks with dueling events.

Muslims In Manhattan Say They Need A Place To Pray

NEW YORK - Muslims in lower Manhattan who have prayed in a crowded basement or in the streets say they are not looking for confrontation with opponents of a new mosque. They simply need the space.

U.S. Plans To Ease Travel To Cuba: Lawmaker's Aide

WASHINGTON - The Obama administration is getting ready to relax travel restrictions to Cuba for some Americans, without lifting the trade embargo and a ban on U.S. tourism to the island, a congressional aide said on Tuesday.

July Home Building Up

WASHINGTON - Home building increased at a much weaker pace than expected in July, though sturdy growth in industrial output implied the embattled economy has enough strength to keep growing.

Mazda Recalls 215,000 Vehicles In U.S. For Steering

DETROIT - Mazda Motor Corp will recall 215,000 Mazda 3 and Mazda 5 vehicles sold in the United States because of the risk that they could lose power steering without warning.

Connecticut May Have Just A Week's Worth Of Cash

NEW YORK - Connecticut this autumn probably would have just a little more cash than it needs to pay a week's expenses unless it issues $520 million of debt, according to the state comptroller.

Drivers Sue FedEx Over Contractor Status

BOSTON - Thirty-one current and former truck drivers at FedEx Corp sued the U.S. package delivery company on Tuesday, claiming it improperly classifies them as independent contractors rather than employees.

Mom Faked River Crash After Killing Sons: Police

CHARLESTON, South Carolina - A South Carolina mother was charged with murder on Tuesday after admitting she suffocated her two toddler sons before strapping them into her car and pushing it into a river to pretend they had died in an accident, a local sheriff said.

NY Governor Paterson To Discuss Relocating Muslim Center

NEW YORK - New York Governor David Paterson plans to discuss relocating a proposed Muslim cultural center and mosque to a less emotionally charged location farther from New York City's "Ground Zero" site of the September 11 attacks.

One Dead After Shots Fired Near Texas College

HOUSTON - One person was killed Tuesday after shots were fired outside a police station in McKinney, Texas, near Dallas, local media reported on Tuesday.

California Gay Marriage Case Hangs On Technicality

SAN FRANCISCO - The next stage of California's gay marriage court battle rests on a procedural issue that could halt the case, leaving same-sex unions legal in California without a U.S. Supreme Court ruling to guide the country.

Special Report: Flipping, Flopping And Booming Mortgage Fraud

CHICAGO - The house on the 53rd block of South Wood Street in Chicago's Back of the Yards doesn't look like a $355,000 home. There is no front door and most of the windows are boarded up.

Astronauts Revive Space Station's Cooling System

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida - A pair of spacewalking astronauts revived the International Space Station's cooling system on Monday during a third outing to replace a failed pump.

Demand For High-speed Rail Funding Swells

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Transportation said on Monday it continues to see high demand for funds to build high-speed passenger rail.

U.S. Proposes Seat Belts For Commercial Buses

WASHINGTON - The U.S. government proposed on Monday that new commercial buses, those typically run by charter companies and for city-to-city travel, be equipped with seat belts for passengers to reduce death and injury in crashes.

BP Spill Health Effects Need To Be Tracked: Experts

CHICAGO - Doctors in the Gulf Coast region need to be alert to both the short and long-term health effects of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, U.S. health experts said on Monday.

Louisiana Shrimp Season Opens Amid Spill Concern

NEW ORLEANS - Commercial fishermen can now trawl Louisiana's waters for white shrimp as the season opened on Monday, but questions linger about the effects BP Plc's Gulf of Mexico oil spill will have on the harvest.

JetBlue Guy: Hollywood's Most Wanted

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - It was perhaps inevitable that the world's most famous flight attendant would enlist a Hollywood publicist.

Autopsy Conducted On Man Accused Of Craigslist Murder

BOSTON - U.S. authorities conducted an autopsy on Monday on a man found dead in his Boston prison cell more than a year after being charged with murdering a masseuse he met on Craigslist, a law enforcement official said.

Senator Reid Opposes NY Muslim Center Site

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Senate's senior Democrat broke with President Barack Obama on Monday over the proposed Muslim cultural center and mosque in New York City, with Senator Harry Reid saying it should be built elsewhere.

Technical Twists Delay Timing Of BP Final Well Kill

HOUSTON/NEW ORLEANS - Technical issues on Monday muddled the timing of BP's planned final kill of its blown-out Gulf of Mexico oil well as concerns lingered over the environmental and health fallout from the world's worst offshore oil spill.

California Gay Marriage On Hold As Case Appealed

SAN FRANCISCO - A U.S. appeals court ruled on Monday that same-sex couples could not marry in California while the court considers the constitutionality of the state's ban on gay marriage.

For-profit Schools Get Report On Loan Repayments

WASHINGTON - For-profit schools got a report card of their own on Friday, as the Department of Education released data showing estimated student loan repayment rates, part of a drive to tighten oversight of the industry.

Pioneering Hospital Halts Live Liver Transplants

DENVER - A Colorado hospital that pioneered liver transplants using tissue from healthy donors has suspended further surgeries of that type following two recent deaths of U.S. donors.

Drilling Agency Penalizes Company Over Reports

WASHINGTON - Plains Exploration & Production Co paid nearly $900,000 in civil penalties for failing to submit monthly reports on the company's energy production on federal government leases, the U.S. agency that oversees oil and natural gas drilling said on Friday.

Obama Signs $600 Million Border Security Bill

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama on Friday signed into law a $600 million bill to beef up security on the U.S. border with Mexico, and his aides pressed lawmakers to set aside election-year politics and work toward broader immigration reform.

Magnitude 6.6 Quake Hits Southwest Of Guam

WASHINGTON - A magnitude 6.6 quake struck 241 miles west-southwest of the U.S. Pacific island territory of Guam, the U.S. Geological Survey said on Saturday, following a series of quakes and aftershocks in the region.

Malone And Pippen Inducted Into Basketball Hall Of Fame

SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts - Power forward Karl Malone and small forward Scottie Pippen were among 10 inductees into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame on Friday.

FDA OKs New "morning-after" Pill

WASHINGTON - Health officials on Friday approved a new, longer-lasting "morning-after" pill to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex.

Alabama Sues BP For "catastrophic" Gulf Oil Spill

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - Alabama is suing BP Plc, Transocean and Halliburton for "catastrophic harm" caused by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, the state's attorney general said on Friday.

Zsa Zsa Gabor Asks For Last Rites

SAN FRANCISCO - Actress Zsa Zsa Gabor, a fixture in Hollywood for six decades, asked that a priest read her the last rites on Sunday, following hospitalization two days earlier due to complications from hip surgery.

Obama Backs Controversial New York Mosque Project

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama on Friday backed construction of a proposed mosque and Muslim cultural center near the site of the September 11, 2001, attacks in New York -- a project opposed by conservatives and many New Yorkers.

For-profit Schools Get Report On Loan Repayments

WASHINGTON - For-profit schools got a report card of their own on Friday, as the Department of Education released data showing estimated student loan repayment rates, part of a drive to tighten oversight of the industry.

Pioneering Hospital Halts Live Liver Transplants

DENVER - A Colorado hospital that pioneered liver transplants using tissue from healthy donors has suspended further surgeries of that type following two recent deaths of U.S. donors.

Drilling Agency Penalizes Company Over Reports

WASHINGTON - Plains Exploration & Production Co paid nearly $900,000 in civil penalties for failing to submit monthly reports on the company's energy production on federal government leases, the U.S. agency that oversees oil and natural gas drilling said on Friday.

Obama Signs $600 Million Border Security Bill

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama on Friday signed into law a $600 million bill to beef up security on the U.S. border with Mexico, and his aides pressed lawmakers to set aside election-year politics and work toward broader immigration reform.

Magnitude 6.6 Quake Hits Southwest Of Guam

WASHINGTON - A magnitude 6.6 quake struck 241 miles west-southwest of the U.S. Pacific island territory of Guam, the U.S. Geological Survey said on Saturday, following a series of quakes and aftershocks in the region.

Malone And Pippen Inducted Into Basketball Hall Of Fame

SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts - Power forward Karl Malone and small forward Scottie Pippen were among 10 inductees into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame on Friday.

FDA OKs New "morning-after" Pill

WASHINGTON - Health officials on Friday approved a new, longer-lasting "morning-after" pill to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex.

Alabama Sues BP For "catastrophic" Gulf Oil Spill

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - Alabama is suing BP Plc, Transocean and Halliburton for "catastrophic harm" caused by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, the state's attorney general said on Friday.

Zsa Zsa Gabor Hospitalized After Surgery

LOS ANGELES - Hollywood legend Zsa Zsa Gabor underwent surgery to treat blood clotting on Friday and was resting comfortably after being rushed to a hospital earlier in the day following recent hip replacement surgery.

Obama Backs Controversial New York Mosque Project

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama on Friday backed construction of a proposed mosque and Muslim cultural center near the site of the September 11, 2001, attacks in New York -- a project opposed by conservatives and many New Yorkers.

Drilling Agency Penalizes Company Over Reports

WASHINGTON - Plains Exploration & Production Co paid nearly $900,000 in civil penalties for failing to submit monthly reports on the company's energy production on federal government leases, the U.S. agency that oversees oil and natural gas drilling said on Friday.

For-profit Schools Get Report On Loan Repayments

WASHINGTON - For-profit schools got a report card of their own on Friday, as the Department of Education released data showing estimated student loan repayment rates, part of a drive to tighten oversight of the industry.

Pioneering Hospital Halts Live Liver Transplants

DENVER - A Colorado hospital that pioneered liver transplants using tissue from healthy donors has suspended further surgeries of that type following two recent deaths of U.S. donors.

Obama Signs $600 Million Border Security Bill

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama on Friday signed into law a $600 million bill to beef up security on the U.S. border with Mexico, and his aides pressed lawmakers to set aside election-year politics and work toward broader immigration reform.

Major 7.2 Magnitude Quake West Of Guam

WASHINGTON - A major 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit 232 miles west southwest of the U.S. Pacific island territory of Guam, the U.S. Geological Survey said on Friday.

Malone And Pippen Inducted Into Basketball Hall Of Fame

SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts - Power forward Karl Malone and small forward Scottie Pippen were among 10 inductees into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame on Friday.

FDA OKs New "morning-after" Pill

WASHINGTON - Health officials on Friday approved a new, longer-lasting "morning-after" pill to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex.

Alabama Sues BP For "catastrophic" Gulf Oil Spill

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - Alabama is suing BP Plc, Transocean and Halliburton for "catastrophic harm" caused by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, the state's attorney general said on Friday.

Zsa Zsa Gabor Hospitalized After Surgery

LOS ANGELES - Hollywood legend Zsa Zsa Gabor underwent surgery to treat blood clotting on Friday and was resting comfortably after being rushed to a hospital earlier in the day following recent hip replacement surgery.

Obama Backs Controversial New York Mosque Project

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama on Friday backed construction of a proposed mosque and Muslim cultural center near the site of the September 11, 2001, attacks in New York -- a project opposed by U.S. conservatives and many New Yorkers.

Jobless Claims Rise Highlights Economy's Ills

WASHINGTON - The number of U.S. workers filing new claims for jobless benefits unexpectedly rose last week to the highest level in close to six months, the latest evidence the economy's recovery is faltering.

Congress Approves Border Security Bill

WASHINGTON - Congress on Thursday passed legislation to strengthen security along the border with Mexico, trying to tackle the politically sensitive issue of illegal immigrants ahead of November congressional elections.

Gulf Fishermen: Oil Tainted Our Waters, Our Trust

BILOXI, Mississippi - Some U.S. Gulf Coast fishermen say they have caught crabs with black-stained gills and others report seeing fish and marine life gathering strangely on the sea surface following the massive BP Plc oil spill.

Paris Hilton To Vigorously Defend Bad Hair Day

LOS ANGELES - Many people have bad hair days, but one that cost $35 million? Not even Paris Hilton could do that -- at least, that's what she says.

Calif. Treasurer Wants Reports On Top Public Salaries

NEW YORK - The Calpers public pension fund should report the top 100 salaries paid to California politicians so they don't spiral out of control, as happened in the city of Bell, the state treasurer said on Thursday.

New York Flight Attendant's Angry Exit Wins Fans

NEW YORK - JetBlue flight attendant Steven Slater, who stormed off his job this week with some profanities and a dramatic exit down an inflated emergency chute, has struck a chord with nearly everyone who has dreamed of quitting a job in anger.

BP To Pay $50.6 Million Fine For Texas Refinery Blast

HOUSTON - BP Plc will pay a record $50.6 million fine for lingering safety problems from a deadly 2005 explosion that killed 15 workers at its Texas City, Texas, refinery, the U.S. government said on Thursday.

California Gay Marriage Can Resume Next Week: Judge

SAN FRANCISCO - A federal judge ruled on Thursday that gay marriages could resume next week in California while his landmark ruling last week that overturned a ban on same-sex matrimony is appealed.

U.S. Arrests Israeli Linked To Serial Knife Murders

ATLANTA - An Israeli national suspected of being responsible for five stabbing murders in a spate of late-night knife attacks against African-Americans in three U.S. states was arrested in Atlanta as he prepared to fly to Tel Aviv, authorities said on Thursday.

Sailors Press Gates On How Defense Budget Hits Them

SAN DIEGO, California - For sailors aboard the USS Higgins docked in San Diego, a popular question for visiting Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Thursday was how the austerity drive he announced this week would affect them.

U.S., States Work To Shut Down Fake Healthcare Plans

WASHINGTON - U.S. regulators are cracking down on the growing number of companies that fraudulently sell so-called medical discount plans by telling consumers they work like health insurance and cover medical costs.

Gusts From Biden Plane Damages Second Aircraft's Wing

NEW YORK - Air gusts from the engines of Vice President Joe Biden's plane lifted a smaller aircraft at a New York airport on Wednesday and damaged its wing, the U.S. Air Force said.

Bin Laden's Cook Gets 14-year Sentence

GUANTANAMO BAY U.S. NAVAL BASE, Cuba - A U.S. military tribunal on Wednesday sentenced Osama bin Laden's former cook to 14 years in prison, but he is expected to serve far less under a plea deal that remains secret.

Former Representative Dan Rostenkowski Dies At 82

CHICAGO - Dan Rostenkowski, who as Congress' chief tax-writer was one of most powerful U.S. politicians in the 1980s and early 1990s until brought down by a corruption conviction and a 17-month prison sentence, has died at age 82.

NY State Cigarette Tax Hike Burns Collections: Group

NEW YORK - New York state's cigarette tax revenue from convenience stores fell in the first six weeks after a steep tax increase, as consumers turned to Native American reservation stores, a convenience store group said on Wednesday.

Tropical Depression Fizzles Out Over Gulf Of Mexico

MIAMI - A tropical depression which had been forecast to pass close to BP Plc's oil spill site in the Gulf of Mexico dissipated on Wednesday, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.

Congressional Election Fails To Stir Voters

GEORGETOWN, Kentucky - Democratic control of Congress and the fate of President Barack Obama's agenda are on the line in U.S. congressional elections this November, but some voters do not seem thrilled with their choices.

Many Americans Don't Want Government To Push Fast Internet

WASHINGTON - The majority of Americans do not favor making affordable high-speed Internet access a government priority, according to a study released by the Pew Internet & American Life Project on Wednesday.

Mobile Clinics Seen As Way To Cut U.S. Health Bill

BOSTON - Every Monday afternoon, a 40-foot (12-meter) motorhome converted to serve as a mobile health clinic pulls into Boston's gritty Roxbury neighborhood and opens its doors to people like Angie Santiago.

Florida AG Proposes Tougher Illegal Immigrant Curbs

ORLANDO - Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum on Wednesday proposed tougher curbs against illegal migrants in his melting-pot state which he said would go "one step further" than a similar contested Arizona law.

New Orleans Judge To Oversee Oil Spill Cases

NEW YORK/WILMINGTON, Del - A New Orleans federal judge will oversee several hundred civil lawsuits stemming from the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, a decision that was welcomed by plaintiffs' attorneys who want the cases to be heard in a place hard hit by the disaster.

Steward Who Fled Via Emergency Chute Gets Bail

NEW YORK - A JetBlue flight attendant who became an Internet hero after storming out of a plane with an expletive-filled intercom address and an escape down the emergency chute had bail set at $2,500 on Tuesday.

Productivity Weakens In Second Quarter

WASHINGTON - Business productivity fell for the first time in 1-1/2 years in the second quarter and labor costs hardly rose, underlining the halting pace of economic recovery.

Anti-mosque Ads Depicting 9/11 To Run On NYC Buses

NEW YORK - Anti-mosque advertisements depicting a plane about to crash into a flaming World Trade Center will soon be displayed on New York City buses after the transit authority relented and agreed to the ads.

Tropical Depression Forms Over Gulf Of Mexico

MIAMI - A tropical depression formed over the Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday on a track likely to take it near BP Plc's massive oil spill site before it makes landfall in Louisiana.

Unemployment Drives More Home Sellers To Cut Price

NEW YORK - Owners cut prices on one-quarter of U.S. homes listed for sale in July, a fourth straight monthly rise, as job market fallout trumped record low mortgage rates, real estate website Trulia.com said on Wednesday.

Wall Street Increasingly Favors Republicans: Study

WASHINGTON - Wall Street and its financial allies did an about-face in political spending in June, giving Republicans over two-thirds of their campaign contributions as Democrats pushed financial reform forward in Congress, a report said on Tuesday.

NY Race For "Sheriff Of Wall Street" Hard To Call

NEW YORK - The campaign for New York state attorney general -- a job that includes being the "sheriff of Wall Street" -- is opening up now that the front-runner has been shaken by admissions of drug use and failing to vote.

Ex-Senator Stevens Dies In Alaska Plane Crash

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Former Senator Ted Stevens, who for several years played a leading role in controlling the nation's purse strings, died with four other people in a small plane crash in his home state of Alaska, officials said on Tuesday.

House Passes State Aid Bill; Obama Signs Into Law

WASHINGTON - The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved, and President Barack Obama promptly signed into law, an election-year bill providing $26 billion to struggling states by closing tax loopholes for multinational companies and cutting food aid to the poor.

Oscar-winning Actress Patricia Neal Dies Aged 84

NEW YORK - Oscar-winning actress Patricia Neal, whose life witnessed triumph in Hollywood movies and tragedy at home, has died in Massachusetts. She was 84.

FBI Laboratory Has Large Backlog Of DNA Cases

WASHINGTON - The FBI's laboratory has a backlog of more than 3,200 forensic DNA cases, which can prevent timely capture of criminals and prolong incarceration of innocent people, according to a U.S. Justice Department report released on Monday.

EIA To Cut World Demand Outlook On Weak Economy

WASHINGTON - With signs that the U.S. economic recovery is faltering, the U.S. government may cut its estimate of global oil demand in its new monthly forecast.

Conference Board Job Index Rises To 97.0 In July

NEW YORK - A gauge of the U.S. job market rose in July for the 14th straight month although its pace of increase slowed, suggesting job growth would struggle to keep up with growth in the working-age population, a research group said on Monday.

Judge Lets U.S. Join St Jude Whistleblower Case

NEW YORK - A federal judge has given the United States permission to join a lawsuit by a former St Jude Medical Inc worker who accused the maker of pacemakers and other heart devices of involvement in a kickback scheme.

Oil Guru Matthew Simmons Dies In Maine

BOSTON - Matthew Simmons, who rattled the energy industry by arguing the world was rapidly approaching peak oil production capacity, died at his home in North Haven, Maine, the energy research group he founded said on Monday.

Former VP Cheney Released From Hospital

WASHINGTON - Former Vice President Dick Cheney was released from the hospital on Monday after receiving a new heart pump nearly a month ago, a statement from his office said.

Honda To Recall 428,000 Vehicles In N. America

DETROIT - Honda Motor Co said on Monday it was recalling more than 428,000 vehicles in the United States and Canada because of a defect that could cause the cars to roll away if they are parked incorrectly.

Trend Of Mortgages "underwater" Drops: Zillow

NEW YORK - A smaller percentage of U.S. homeowners were saddled with "underwater mortgages" in the second quarter as more homes entered the foreclosure process even as price declines slowed, real estate website Zillow.com said on Monday.

Statue Of Liberty To Close For Security Upgrades

NEW YORK - The Statue of Liberty will be closed for security upgrades starting about a year from now, depriving tourists a chance to visit the crown, base and pedestal for up to 12 months.

U.S. Seeks Role In Latest St Jude Whistleblower Case

NEW YORK - The United States is seeking to intervene in a lawsuit by a former St Jude Medical Inc worker who accused the maker of pacemakers and other heart devices of involvement in a kickback scheme.

NY Man Reaches Deal In 10-year Kazakh Bribery Probe

NEW YORK - A decade-long probe into a man accused of bribing Kazakhstan officials with tens of millions of dollars over oil ended Friday with a guilty plea -- the man admitted to checking the wrong box on his tax return.

Poll Shows California Governor's Race Still Tight

LOS ANGELES - The campaign for California governor, pitting Democrat Jerry Brown against Republican Meg Whitman, remains essentially a dead heat three months before the November election, according to a poll released on Friday.

Ex-HP CEO Mark Hurd Settled With Contractor

SAN FRANCISCO - Hewlett-Packard Co's former chief executive officer Mark Hurd has reached a legal settlement with the woman who accused him of sexual harassment, and she has also agreed to release HP from legal claims, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Weak Private Hiring Shows Recovery On The Ropes

WASHINGTON - U.S. private employers added fewer workers to their payrolls in July than expected and hiring in June was much weaker than had been thought, a big blow to an already feeble economic recovery.

Michigan Oil Spill Caused By 5-foot Tear In Pipeline

CALGARY, Alberta - Oil that fouled a Michigan river system spewed from a rip less than five feet long in an Enbridge Inc pipeline, a company executive said on Saturday after crews extracted the ruptured piece.

Lehman Brothers Art Work To Go Under The Hammer

LONDON - Art works that once adorned the British and European offices of former banking powerhouse Lehman Brothers are to be auctioned off next month, the bank's administrators said Sunday.

Trend Of U.S. Mortgages "underwater" Drops: Zillow

NEW YORK - A smaller percentage of U.S. homeowners were saddled with "underwater mortgages" in the second quarter as more homes entered the foreclosure process even as price declines slowed, real estate website Zillow.com said on Monday.

Basketball Stars Play Hoops With Obama

WASHINGTON - A star-studded team of professional basketball players joined President Barack Obama and Education Secretary Arne Duncan in a game for U.S. troops and young people on Sunday.

Kagan Sworn In As 112th Justice To Supreme Court

WASHINGTON - Elena Kagan became the fourth female justice in history on Saturday and the 112th Supreme Court member after President Barack Obama won Senate approval for his second appointment to the high court.

Lochte Beats Phelps For Second Time At U.S. Nationals

LOS ANGELES - Ryan Lochte registered his second consecutive victory over rival Michael Phelps at the United States National Championships with a gritty win in the 200 meters backstroke on Saturday.

Accused New York Subway Plotter Pleads Not Guilty

NEW YORK - A Bosnian man pleaded not guilty on Friday to participating in an international plot to bomb New York City's subway system, a conspiracy U.S. authorities have called the most serious threat to the city since the attacks of September 11, 2001.

Idaho Seeks To Kill Hundreds Of Protected Wolves

SALMON, Idaho - Idaho game officials said on Friday they would seek federal approval to kill off hundreds of wolves in their state despite a court ruling that restored protection of the animals under the Endangered Species Act.

U.S. Seeks Role In Latest St Jude Whistleblower Case

NEW YORK - The United States is seeking to intervene in a lawsuit by a former St Jude Medical Inc worker who accused the maker of pacemakers and other heart devices of involvement in a kickback scheme.

NY Man Reaches Deal In 10-year Kazakh Bribery Probe

NEW YORK - A decade-long probe into a man accused of bribing Kazakhstan officials with tens of millions of dollars over oil ended Friday with a guilty plea -- the man admitted to checking the wrong box on his tax return.

Poll Shows California Governor's Race Still Tight

LOS ANGELES - The campaign for California governor, pitting Democrat Jerry Brown against Republican Meg Whitman, remains essentially a dead heat three months before the November election, according to a poll released on Friday.

Ex-HP CEO Mark Hurd Settled With Contractor

SAN FRANCISCO - Hewlett-Packard Co's former chief executive officer Mark Hurd has reached a legal settlement with the woman who accused him of sexual harassment, and she has also agreed to release HP from legal claims, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Weak Private Hiring Shows Recovery On The Ropes

WASHINGTON - U.S. private employers added fewer workers to their payrolls in July than expected and hiring in June was much weaker than had been thought, a big blow to an already feeble economic recovery.

Michigan Oil Spill Caused By 5-foot Tear In Pipeline

CALGARY, Alberta - Oil that fouled a Michigan river system spewed from a rip less than five feet long in an Enbridge Inc pipeline, a company executive said on Saturday after crews extracted the ruptured piece.

Kagan Sworn In As 112th Justice To Supreme Court

WASHINGTON - Elena Kagan became the fourth female justice in history on Saturday and the 112th Supreme Court member after President Barack Obama won Senate approval for his second appointment to the high court.

California Firm Recalls 1 Million Pounds Beef For E.coli

CHICAGO - A Modesto, California, meat company is recalling about one million pounds of ground beef patties and bulk ground beef after the meat was linked to seven illnesses from the e.coli 0157:H7 bacteria, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said on Friday.

Election-year Politics Has State Budgets In Limbo

CHICAGO/SAN FRANCISCO - Election politics is hobbling the budget process in states like Illinois more than usual this year, as lawmakers try to square dire government balance sheets with voter resistance to spending cuts and tax increases.

New York AG Files Price-fixing Suit Vs LCD Makers

NEW YORK - New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo sued Samsung Electronics Co Ltd and other makers of liquid display crystal screens used in computers, flat-screen televisions and mobile phones on Friday for allegedly fixing prices for a decade.

Accused New York Subway Plotter Pleads Not Guilty

NEW YORK - A Bosnian man pleaded not guilty on Friday to participating in an international plot to bomb New York City's subway system, a conspiracy U.S. authorities have called the most serious threat to the city since the attacks of September 11, 2001.

Idaho Seeks To Kill Hundreds Of Protected Wolves

SALMON, Idaho - Idaho game officials said on Friday they would seek federal approval to kill off hundreds of wolves in their state despite a court ruling that restored protection of the animals under the Endangered Species Act.

U.S. Seeks Role In Latest St Jude Whistleblower Case

NEW YORK - The United States is seeking to intervene in a lawsuit by a former St Jude Medical Inc worker who accused the maker of pacemakers and other heart devices of involvement in a kickback scheme.

NY Man Reaches Deal In 10-year Kazakh Bribery Probe

NEW YORK - A decade-long probe into a man accused of bribing Kazakhstan officials with tens of millions of dollars over oil ended Friday with a guilty plea -- the man admitted to checking the wrong box on his tax return.

Poll Shows California Governor's Race Still Tight

LOS ANGELES - The campaign for California governor, pitting Democrat Jerry Brown against Republican Meg Whitman, remains essentially a dead heat three months before the November election, according to a poll released on Friday.

Senate Approves Obama Nominee Kagan To Top Court

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama's nomination of Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court won Senate approval on Thursday, his second appointment to the court that decides abortion, death penalty and other contentious cases.

Weak Private Hiring Shows Recovery On The Ropes

WASHINGTON - U.S. private employers added fewer workers to their payrolls in July than expected and hiring in June was much weaker than had been thought, a big blow to an already feeble economic recovery.

U.S. Payrolls Likely Fell Again In July On Census

WASHINGTON - U.S. employment probably fell for a second straight month in July as more temporary census jobs ended and private hiring remained too weak to boost a fragile economic recovery, according to a Reuters survey.

FDA: Kellogg Cereal Problem Resolved

NEW YORK - The Food and Drug Administration said on Thursday the problem that led to Kellogg Co's cereal recall in June has been resolved.

AT&T In Talks To Settle EEOC Age Bias Lawsuit

NEW YORK - AT&T Inc is in talks to settle a lawsuit by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that accuses the largest U.S. phone company of discriminating nationwide against workers over 40.

Postal Service Loses $3.5 Billion In Third Quarter

WASHINGTON - The Postal Service reported a quarterly net loss of $3.5 billion on Thursday and said it will likely have a cash shortfall going into 2011.

Health Overhaul Helps Medicare Prospects: Report

WASHINGTON - Prospects for the U.S. Medicare retiree health program brightened significantly from last year as a result of cost cuts resulting from healthcare reform legislation, a government report said on Thursday.

Tropical Storm Colin Reforms

MIAMI - Tropical Storm Colin reformed over the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday and was moving northwest on a path that could take it close to Bermuda, where authorities issued a tropical storm warning, the National Hurricane Center said.

Senate Leaves Without Funding Black Farmers Suit

WASHINGTON - A Republican senator blocked a measure on Thursday that would have compensated black farmers in one of the largest civil rights settlements in U.S. history, again delaying action on a decades-old bias lawsuit.

Google Ordered To Defend Against Age Bias Lawsuit

NEW YORK - Google Inc, which runs the world's most popular Internet search engine, was ordered to defend itself against a lawsuit by a former manager who said he was fired for being too old, clearing the way for a trial.

Senate Approves Obama Nominee Kagan To Top Court

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama's nomination of Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court won Senate approval on Thursday, his second appointment to the court that decides abortion, death penalty and other contentious cases.

Gay Marriage Appeal Notice Filed, Long Battle Ahead

SAN FRANCISCO - One day after a federal judge struck down California's ban on gay marriage, supporters of the voter-approved law on Thursday notified the court they would appeal, firing a new salvo in what experts say will be a long legal battle.

"Terrible" Michael Phelps Claims U.S. Title Record

LOS ANGELES - Michael Phelps chalked up a record 49th United States national swimming title on Wednesday, though the multi-Olympic champion was far from happy with the style in which he achieved it.

U.S. Billionaires Pledge Fortunes To Charity

NEW YORK - Dozens of U.S. billionaires pledged on Wednesday to give at least half their fortunes to charity as part of a philanthropic campaign by two of the world's richest men -- Warren Buffett and Bill Gates.

White House: No One Owes BP's Hayward An Apology

WASHINGTON - The White House said on Wednesday it owed no apology to outgoing BP chief executive Tony Hayward, after welcoming a report that showed pollution from the Gulf oil spill was less than many initially had feared.

Seven Puppies Die After American Airlines Flight

CHICAGO - Seven puppies died on an American Airlines flight from Tulsa to Chicago and the airline said on Wednesday it was investigating.

U.S. Rights Groups To Represent Al-Awlaki's Father

NEW YORK - Two civil liberties groups on Wednesday said they received permission from U.S. officials to serve as lawyers for the father of a U.S.-born Muslim cleric, clearing the way for a broader legal challenge to the Obama administration's authorization to capture or kill the cleric.

Daughter Of Tough-on-crime Giuliani Arrested In New York

NEW YORK - Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani may have been tough on crime, but on Wednesday his daughter was arrested in the city for shoplifting from an upscale beauty store.

Delta Close To Approval For JFK Overhaul: Source

NEW YORK - Delta Air Lines Inc's $1.2 billion renovation of its terminals at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport is expected to be approved on Thursday, a source familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.

Public Worker Pay Has Many Clamoring For Reform

SAN FRANCISCO - California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has state employees on the ropes.

American Accused Of Killing 5 To Face Panama Trial

PANAMA CITY - A U.S. citizen accused of killing five fellow Americans to take over their businesses and properties is expected to face trial in Panama soon, prosecutors said on Wednesday.

U.S. Judge Overturns California Gay Marriage Ban

SAN FRANCISCO - A federal judge on Wednesday struck down a California ban on same-sex marriages as unconstitutional, handing a key victory to gay rights advocates in a politically charged decision almost certain to reach the U.S. Supreme Court.

Enbridge Says Two-thirds Of Spill Oil Gathered Up

CALGARY, Alberta - Enbridge Inc said on Tuesday it has removed two-thirds of the more than 800,000 gallons of oil spilled into a Michigan creek last week when one of its pipelines ruptured, as regulators reported the waters of the Kalamazoo River have begun to clear.

Some For-profit Colleges Encouraged Fraud: Study

WASHINGTON - Government investigators found that for-profit colleges encouraged fraudulent practices and made deceptive statements to prospective students, according to a study released on Tuesday.

Bristol Palin Engagement Off. Again

LOS ANGELES - Teen mom Bristol Palin has broken off her engagement to Levi Johnston for a second time -- less than a month after telling the world she planned to marry the father of her young son.

Missouri Votes To Block U.S. Health Insurance Law

KANSAS CITY, Missouri - Missouri voters on Tuesday rejected the new U.S. healthcare bill, approving a measure that would forbid the federal government from penalizing people who do not buy health insurance.

Special Report: Smart Money In Real Estate Is On Smart Growth

ROCKVILLE, Maryland - This suburb of Washington, D.C. inspired R.E.M.'s 1984 song about the soul-sucking blandness of a suburban adolescence that has been a staple of rock and roll. "(Don't Go Back to) Rockville" described a town of empty houses, "where nobody says hello."

Judge Says Delta, AirTran Can Face Bag-fees Suit

ATLANTA - Delta Air Lines and AirTran Airways lost their bid to dismiss a class-action lawsuit charging that they colluded to set a baggage fee as a federal judge in Atlanta ruled the carriers can be sued.

Five States To Get Foreclosure Prevention Aid

WASHINGTON - As many as 50,000 struggling homeowners in five states with high unemployment may receive help from a special $600 million federal fund intended to head off some foreclosures.

U.S. Finds Most Oil From Gulf Spill Poses Little Risk: Report

WASHINGTON - The U.S. government is expected to announce that three-quarters of the oil from the BP Plc spill in the Gulf of Mexico has already evaporated, dispersed, or been captured or eliminated, The New York Times reported on Wednesday.

NY Mosque Near September 11 Site Wins Approval

NEW YORK - A New York city agency on Tuesday cleared the way for construction of a Muslim cultural center near the site of the September 11 attacks.

Nine Dead In Connecticut Workplace Shooting

BOSTON - Nine people were killed on Tuesday in a shooting rampage at a beer distributor in Manchester, Connecticut, police said.

Treasury Links 5.6 Million Hires To Tax Credits

WASHINGTON - Businesses eligible for tax credits under an Obama administration stimulus package hired an estimated 5.6 million workers, the Treasury Department said on Monday.

California Democrats Have State Budget Plan

SAN FRANCISCO - Democratic leaders of California's legislature have agreed on a state budget plan to counter Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposal, an aide to one of the legislators said on Monday.

BP Aims To "kill" Well As Early As Tuesday

HOUSTON - BP Plc was still hoping to attempt the first of two operations to permanently plug its ruptured Gulf of Mexico well on Tuesday despite the technical delay of a crucial test.

Two Men Guilty In New York Airport Bomb Plot Case

NEW YORK - Two Islamist militants were found guilty on Monday by a federal jury of plotting to bomb New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Coast Guard Intercepts 323 Migrants From Haiti

MIAMI - The U.S. Coast Guard repatriated 323 Haitian migrants on Monday after intercepting them aboard two overloaded sailboats in Bahamian waters, northwest of Haiti's northern coast, a Coast Guard officer said.

Lawmakers Seek Info After Kellogg Cereal Recall

LOS ANGELES - U.S. lawmakers are seeking more information on the chemical believed to be behind this summer's recall of 28 million boxes of Kellogg Co cereals.

State Funding Plan Stalls In Senate

WASHINGTON - The Senate on Monday killed a plan to send $26.1 billion dollars to states due to deficit concerns, marking a setback for those counting on federal help with budget gaps.

Foreign-trained Docs As Good As U.S. Physicians: Report

WASHINGTON - Nurse anesthetists can safely provide care without doctors supervising them, according to a report released on Tuesday.

Lawsuit Claims Toyota Ignored Safety Issues

LOS ANGELES - Toyota Motor Co ignored evidence of acceleration problems in its vehicles for most of the past decade and failed to install a brake override system it knew could have prevented accidents, an amended federal lawsuit filed on Monday claims.

Judge Lets Virginia Healthcare Challenge Proceed

WASHINGTON - A U.S. judge ruled on Monday that the state of Virginia could proceed with its challenge to President Barack Obama's landmark healthcare law, a setback that will force the White House to defend its reforms in the middle of a tough congressional election campaign.

Marquez Calls Out Pacquiao After Defeating Diaz

LAS VEGAS - Juan Manuel Marquez retained his WBA and WBO lightweight titles with a unanimous decision victory over American Juan Diaz on Saturday before demanding a third fight with Manny Pacquiao.

Iran Rebuffs Obama's Call To Free U.S. Detainees

TEHRAN - Iran has rejected President Barack Obama's plea to release three Americans arrested more than a year ago near the Iraq border, the foreign ministry said, insisting that justice would take its course.

U.S.-Canadian Mission Set To Map Arctic Seafloor

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - U.S. and Canadian scientists are headed far north on a joint mission to map the still mysterious floor of the Arctic Ocean, as questions of sovereignty and mineral rights swirl around the region.

Activists Rally For Arizona Immigration Law

PHOENIX, Arizona - A few hundred supporters of a new Arizona law that cracks down on illegal immigrants rallied in central Phoenix Saturday, as tensions over the measure simmered.

Goldman Defends Its Collateral Calls To AIG

BANGALORE - Goldman Sachs said that it believed its trades with the bailed out insurer AIG during the financial crisis were accurate and its collateral calls made to AIG were reflective of the conditions in a deteriorated market.

Oil Spill Pipeline Won't Reopen This Week: Enbridge

NEW YORK - Enbridge Inc's chief executive said on Sunday the company would not restart its ruptured pipeline in Michigan this week as it continues to clean up 800,000 gallons of oil spilled in and around the Kalamazoo River.

BP Prepares To Plug Gulf Oil Well For Good

HOUSTON/WASHINGTON - BP Plc could start plugging its broken deepsea oil well in the Gulf of Mexico on Monday night, more than three months after its rupture led to the worst offshore oil spill in U.S. history.

BP Distributors Consider Reverting To Amoco Brand

WASHINGTON - Some BP gas station owners in the United States want to drop the BP name and return to the Amoco brand to recover business hit by public anger over the Gulf of Mexico oil spill disaster.

St. Louis Jury Sides With "Girls Gone Wild" Founder

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - "Girls Gone Wild" founder Joe Francis finally has a reason to throw one of his outrageous parties.

Chelsea Clinton Marries In "royal Wedding"

RHINEBECK, New York - Bill and Hillary Clinton's only daughter has married her long-time boyfriend in the picturesque New York village of Rhinebeck in what was dubbed America's royal wedding.