LA Airport Attack Plotter Sent Back To Prison

NEW YORK - A man convicted over a plot to blow up Los Angeles airport who later cooperated with the government was sent back to prison on Friday for trying to purchase an AK-47 rifle and lying to authorities in violation of his probation.

More Shots At Marine Museum In Evolving Sniper Case

WASHINGTON - Several gunshots were fired at a Marine Corps museum near Washington overnight, leading the FBI on Friday to search for someone who probably was once part of the Marine Corps and has a grievance against the military.

Special Report: A Marshall Plan For America's Housing Woes

NEW YORK - What will it take for the U.S. housing market to shake off the gloom?

Shary Becomes Hurricane And Heads Into Open Atlantic

WASHINGTON - Tropical Storm Shary strengthened to a Category 1 hurricane on Saturday but posed no danger to land, while Tropical Storm Tomas neared hurricane strength as it approached Barbados and the Northern Windward Islands.

Tribune Investors Sue Banks That Arranged Financing

CHICAGO - A group of investors in bankrupt Tribune Co sued JPMorgan, Merrill Lynch, Citicorp and Bank of America, claiming the banks arranged $3.7 billion in loans in 2007 they knew the company could never repay.

E-cigarette Seller Accepts California Marketing Limits

LOS ANGELES, Oct 30 (Reuters Legal) - A distributor of electronic cigarettes has agreed not to target its sales and advertisements to minors or to claim its products are safe alternatives to tobacco, under a consent judgment reached with California.

Shuttle Launch Postponed To Wednesday

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida - Work to repair a helium leak in space shuttle Discovery's steering system will delay its launch on a mission to the International Space Station to Wednesday, officials said on Saturday.

Comedians' Pre-election Rally Throngs Washington

WASHINGTON - Two of America's best-known television comedians drew tens of thousands of people to a rally on Saturday that was part variety show, part Halloween celebration and part political rally to call for common sense before Tuesday's congressional elections.

JFK Writer And Aide Ted Sorensen Dies At 82

NEW YORK - Ted Sorensen, one of President John F. Kennedy's key advisers and top speech writers, died on Sunday aged 82.

Republicans Say Voters Will Repudiate Obama

WASHINGTON - With two days left in a bitter fight for control of Congress, Republicans on Sunday appeared headed to a smashing victory they said would be a repudiation of President Barack Obama and his policies.

Consumer Sentiment Dips To Lowest Since November

NEW YORK - U.S. consumer sentiment worsened more than expected in October, hitting its weakest level since November, with concern about the economy high leading into next week's election, a survey showed on Friday.

LA Airport Attack Plotter Sent Back To Prison

NEW YORK - A man convicted over a plot to blow up Los Angeles airport who later cooperated with the government was sent back to prison on Friday for trying to purchase an AK-47 rifle and lying to authorities in violation of his probation.

More Shots At Marine Museum In Evolving Sniper Case

WASHINGTON - Several gunshots were fired at a Marine Corps museum near Washington overnight, leading the FBI on Friday to search for someone who probably was once part of the Marine Corps and has a grievance against the military.

Special Report: A Marshall Plan For America's Housing Woes

NEW YORK - What will it take for the U.S. housing market to shake off the gloom?

Shary Becomes Hurricane And Heads Into Open Atlantic

WASHINGTON - Tropical Storm Shary strengthened to a Category 1 hurricane on Saturday but posed no danger to land, while Tropical Storm Tomas neared hurricane strength as it approached Barbados and the Northern Windward Islands.

Tribune Investors Sue Banks That Arranged Financing

CHICAGO - A group of investors in bankrupt Tribune Co sued JPMorgan, Merrill Lynch, Citicorp and Bank of America, claiming the banks arranged $3.7 billion in loans in 2007 they knew the company could never repay.

E-cigarette Seller Accepts California Marketing Limits

LOS ANGELES, Oct 30 (Reuters Legal) - A distributor of electronic cigarettes has agreed not to target its sales and advertisements to minors or to claim its products are safe alternatives to tobacco, under a consent judgment reached with California.

Shuttle Launch Postponed To Wednesday

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida - Work to repair a helium leak in space shuttle Discovery's steering system will delay its launch on a mission to the International Space Station to Wednesday, officials said on Saturday.

Comedians' Pre-election Rally Throngs Washington

WASHINGTON - Two of America's best-known television comedians drew tens of thousands of people to a rally on Saturday that was part variety show, part Halloween celebration and part political rally to call for common sense before Tuesday's congressional elections.

Yemen Arrests Suspect As Parcels Confirmed As Bombs

SANAA - Yemeni forces on Saturday arrested a woman believed to be involved in sending explosive packages bound for the United States that triggered a global security alert, Yemeni security officials said.

U.S. Tightens Security, Seeks Source Of Parcel Bombs

WASHINGTON - The United States searched on Saturday for the culprits behind a plot to bomb Jewish targets in Chicago uncovered by the interception in Britain and Dubai of parcels with explosives sent from Yemen.

LA Airport Attack Plotter Sent Back To Prison

NEW YORK - A man convicted over a plot to blow up Los Angeles airport who later cooperated with the government was sent back to prison on Friday for trying to purchase an AK-47 rifle and lying to authorities in violation of his probation.

California Unveils Greenhouse Gas Trading Plan

SAN FRANCISCO - California unveiled on Friday its final blueprint of a market system to curb greenhouse gases, relaxing expected rules in the face of a weak economy in a measure that could set the tone for the nation's climate policy.

As HAMP Goes Up In Smoke, U.S. Needs New Housing Plan

NEW YORK - The U.S. government's main anti-foreclosure program isn't winning many friends these days because of its poor track record in getting banks to modify mortgages for cash-strapped borrowers.

New York Judge Rules 6-year-old Can Be Sued

NEW YORK - A girl can be sued over accusations she ran over an elderly woman with her training bicycle when she was 4 years old, a New York Supreme Court justice has ruled.

Tropical Storm Shary To Pass Near Bermuda

MIAMI - Tropical Storm Shary, the 18th named storm of the busy 2010 Atlantic hurricane season, was expected to pass near Bermuda but stay well away from the United States, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said on Friday.

Consumer Sentiment Dips To Lowest Since November

NEW YORK - U.S. consumer sentiment worsened more than expected in October, hitting its weakest level since November, with concern about the economy high leading into next week's election, a survey showed on Friday.

More Shots At Marine Museum In Evolving Sniper Case

WASHINGTON - Several gunshots were fired at a Marine Corps museum near Washington overnight, leading the FBI on Friday to search for someone who probably was once part of the Marine Corps and has a grievance against the military.

Special Report: A Marshall Plan For America's Housing Woes

NEW YORK - What will it take for the U.S. housing market to shake off the gloom?

Explosives In U.S.-bound Parcels From Yemen: Obama

WASHINGTON/LONDON - Security officials in Britain and Dubai intercepted two parcel bombs being sent from Yemen to the United States in a "credible terrorist threat," President Barack Obama said on Friday.

Chrysler To Invest $600 Million In Illinois Plant

DETROIT - Chrysler Group LLC will invest $600 million to expand its Illinois assembly plant to build a body shop and install new machinery and equipment to support the production of future models in 2012.

Rich Americans Feel Better Off, Still Wary: Merrill

NEW YORK - Wealthy U.S. investors feel better about their financial matters than they did a year ago, yet Americans also say they also expect to work much longer than they had once hoped, brokerage giant Merrill Lynch said, citing its latest investor survey.

Memo From Adult Magazine To Rivals: Class Sells

NEW YORK - In a darkly-lit cheap motel, photographer Jonathan Leder encourages a young female model posing semi-naked in a hot tub to lean toward the camera.

Lawyer Forms Foreclosure Resistance Movement

SHELBY, North Carolina - In a stately 19th century mansion in the middle of this former textile mill town, a local political scion has formed a mortgage foreclosure resistance movement.

Lazard Exec Sued For Nonpayment On Hamptons Rental

NEW YORK - A top Lazard Ltd banker has been sued for allegedly skipping out without paying $165,000 for the summer rental of a luxury home in New York's Hamptons.

Nissan To Fix 2.14 Million Cars In 3rd Biggest Recall

TOKYO - Nissan Motor Co said on Thursday it would recall 2.14 million March/Micra, Cube and about a dozen other models in its third-biggest recall, to fix a faulty ignition relay that could cause engine problems.

Man Arrested In DC Plot Trained For Afghanistan

WASHINGTON - A Pakistani-born man, who believed he was part of an al Qaeda plot to bomb the Washington subway system, was also training to fight U.S. forces in Afghanistan, according to an FBI affidavit released on Thursday.

FBI Links Shooting At Recruiting Center To 2 Others

WASHINGTON - The FBI said on Thursday that it has linked a shooting at a Marine Corps recruiting station in a Virginia suburb outside the U.S. capital to two other shootings at the Pentagon and a Marine Corps museum.

Verizon To Pay $25 Million Settlement For Overcharging

NEW YORK - The top U.S. mobile service, Verizon Wireless, has agreed to pay the U.S. Treasury $25 million on top of more than $52 million in refunds to consumers for overcharging them, the U.S. regulator said.

Halliburton Used Flawed Cement On BP Well: Panel

HOUSTON - Halliburton Co. used flawed cement in BP Plc's doomed Gulf of Mexico well, which could have contributed to the blowout that sparked the worst offshore oil spill in U.S. history, a White House panel said on Thursday.

Former San Diego Officials To Settle Fraud Charges

WASHINGTON - Former San Diego officials will pay financial penalties to settle charges that they misled investors about the city's municipal bonds, the Securities and Exchange Commission said on Wednesday.

Massey Points Finger At U.S. For Mine Disruptions

NEW YORK - Massey Energy Co said on Wednesday that federal mine safety inspections and enforcement, following an explosion that killed 29 miners, contributed to its third-quarter loss by disrupting operations so much that coal production was nearly a quarter million tons short.

Vaccine Panel Expands Whooping Cough Coverage

CHICAGO - An independent U.S. advisory panel is amending its recommendations for booster vaccines to prevent whooping cough and expand protection from the disease that has made a comeback in several U.S. states.

Ex-Marsh Execs, Convictions Tossed, Sue For Bonuses

NEW YORK - Two former Marsh & McLennan Cos executives, whose criminal convictions in an insurance bid-rigging scheme were thrown out, sued their former employer, accusing it of depriving them of stock bonuses and severance.

NY Bedbug Epidemic Spreads To The United Nations

UNITED NATIONS - New York City's bedbug epidemic has spread to yet another landmark in the city that never sleeps -- the United Nations, officials at the world organization said on Wednesday.

More Americans Control Their Blood Pressure: Survey

WASHINGTON - About 30 percent of Americans have high blood pressure -- unchanged from 10 years ago -- but many more know about it and are being treated for it, U.S. government researchers reported on Wednesday.

Ed Dept Moves To Pre-empt For-profits Who "game" System

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Education Department's final rules to rein in for-profit schools, which are accused of failing to educate students while leaving them heavily in debt, would bar incentives to admissions recruiters and limit the creation of new programs.

Blagojevich Conviction Upheld By Trial Judge

CHICAGO - The judge who presided over Rod Blagojevich's corruption trial refused on Wednesday to throw out the conviction of the former Illinois governor on a single count of lying to investigators.

Vote Could Change Direction Of Healthcare Reform

WASHINGTON - With most Americans ambivalent about President Barack Obama's signature healthcare overhaul or openly hostile to it, next Tuesday's elections could have a big impact on the reforms, experts said on Wednesday.

Man Arrested For Plotting To Attack DC Metro

WASHINGTON - A Virginia man who allegedly believed he was helping al Qaeda plan bombings at Washington area Metrorail stations was arrested on Wednesday, the Justice Department said.

BMW To Recall 150,000 Vehicles In U.S.

DETROIT - BMW AG said on Tuesday that it would recall more than 150,000 vehicles in the United States due to the possibility of fuel pump failures.

Films, Politics, Books? What Next For Schwarzenegger?

LOS ANGELES - "I'll be back" has been Arnold Schwarzenegger's catch-phrase for more than 25 years.

Court Shuts Down LimeWire Music-sharing Service

NEW YORK - A U.S. federal judge on Tuesday granted the music industry's request to shut down the popular LimeWire file-sharing service, which had been found liable for copyright infringement.

Pennsylvania Halts New Leases For Gas Drilling

PHILADELPHIA - Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell on Tuesday halted further leasing of state land for natural gas drilling, citing the need to protect forests from the drilling boom and renewing his call for a drilling tax that failed to pass last week.

Ecuador Wants Yale To Return Artifacts To Peru

LOJA, Ecuador - Ecuador's president on Tuesday threw his support behind demands by neighboring Peru for Yale University to return thousands of artifacts removed from the Inca site of Machu Picchu a century ago for study at the U.S. university.

Arizona Execution Stirs Controversy In Britain

PHOENIX - The planned execution of a murderer by lethal injection in Arizona is stirring some controversy in Britain after it emerged that one of the drugs to be used to end the killer's life was obtained there.

Amid Recession, U.S. Companies Boost Non-cash Giving

NEW YORK - Most U.S. companies gave less money to charity in 2009, but total corporate philanthropy rose seven percent to $9.9 billion, boosted by product, service, land and space donations, a study released on Wednesday found.

New Jersey Governor To Kill Tunnel Project: Media

NEW YORK - New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has made a final decision to cancel a planned $8.7 billion rail tunnel, local media reported on Tuesday.

U.S. Nuclear Missiles Go Offline, Hardware Glitch Cited

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama has been briefed about a suspected hardware glitch that took 50 of America's 450 nuclear inter-continental missiles (ICBMs) off-line for about 45 minutes, U.S. officials said on Tuesday.

Glaxo To Pay $750 Million In Adulterated Drugs Case

BOSTON - GlaxoSmithKline Plc has agreed to pay $750 million and plead guilty to manufacturing and distributing adulterated drugs from a now closed plant in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Justice Department said on Tuesday.

Shark Kills Man Off California Coast

SAN FRANCISCO - A shark attacked and killed a man on a boogie board off the California coast near Santa Barbara, local officials said on Friday.

Existing Home Sales Rise, Supply Edges Down

WASHINGTON - Sales of previously owned U.S. homes rose a greater-than-expected 10 percent in September but remained at depressed levels that point to a painful and protracted recovery for the housing market.

Giants See Off Phillies To Reach World Series

PHILADELPHIA - The San Francisco Giants reached the World Series by beating the Philadelphia Phillies in a 3-2 nail-biter on Saturday to clinch the National League Championship Series and set up an underdogs' Fall Classic.

Regulators Reviewing Foreclosure Practices: Bernanke

WASHINGTON - U.S. banking regulators will issue a report next month on foreclosure practices at large financial institutions, following allegations that lenders cut corners to illegally evict homeowners, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said on Monday.

Coast Guard Investigates Slick Off Gulf Coast

ATLANTA - The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating a large brown slick floating near the mouth of the Mississippi river and said on Saturday it could be weathered oil from the BP spill or just algae bloom.

Richard Nears Gulf Of Mexico, No Threat To U.S. Oil

CANCUN, Mexico - Tropical Storm Richard weakened to a tropical depression on Monday as it moved across southern Mexico and headed for the Bay of Campeche, but did not look to pose a major threat to Mexican or U.S. oil operations.

Penn To Halt Future Natgas Drilling On State Land

PHILADELPHIA - Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell will announce on Tuesday a moratorium on future natural gas drilling in state forests, state officials said on Monday.

American Swimmer Dies In World Cup Race

NEW YORK - U.S. open water swimmer Francis 'Fran' Crippen, a world championship bronze medalist, died during a Marathon Swimming World Cup 10km event in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday, world governing body FINA said.

Government To Announce $2.5 Billion For High Speed Rail

WASHINGTON - The government will soon distribute $2.5 billion for high speed rail projects nationwide with California and Florida to receive the largest amounts, state and congressional officials said on Monday.

Ford Plans To Create 1,200 Jobs In Michigan

STERLING HEIGHTS, Michigan - Ford Motor Co on Monday announced plans to spend $850 million upgrading at least four Michigan plants to make more fuel-efficient vehicles and to hire 1,200 workers, spurred by $400 million in tax relief from the state of Michigan.

Hurricane Richard Hits Belize And Could Reach Mexico Oil Fields

CANCUN, Mexico - Hurricane Richard struck the tiny Central American nation of Belize on Sunday, blowing roofs off houses and knocking out electricity as tourists and residents huddled in emergency shelters.

Jobless Rate Down In 23 States In September

WASHINGTON - Unemployment rates dropped in September in most states, the Labor Department said on Friday ahead of early November elections where jobs are expected to be a key focus for voters selecting governors, state legislators and federal lawmakers.

Rangers Down Yanks To Reach First World Series

ARLINGTON, Texas - The Texas Rangers reached the World Series for the first time in their 50 years as a franchise by beating the New York Yankees 6-1 on Friday to win the American League Championship Series.

OJ Simpson Loses Appeal Of 2008 Robbery Conviction

LOS ANGELES - Nevada's Supreme Court on Friday refused to overturn O.J. Simpson's 2008 robbery conviction for a bungled attempt to recover his own sports memorabilia.

American Pleads Guilty To Trying To Spy For China

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Oct 23 (Reuters Legal) - A Detroit man on Friday pleaded guilty to trying to get a job with the Central Intelligence Agency in order to spy for China and to hiding contacts and money he got from Chinese intelligence agents.

Chicago's Tribune Co Files Reorganization Plan

NEW YORK - Tribune Co filed a reorganization plan late on Friday that will turn over control of the bankrupt newspaper publisher to its leading creditors including JPMorgan Chase & Co, Angelo Gordon & Co and Oaktree Capital Management.

Shark Kills Man Off California Coast

SAN FRANCISCO - A shark attacked and killed a man on a boogie board off the California coast near Santa Barbara, local officials said on Friday.

Giants See Off Phillies To Reach World Series

PHILADELPHIA - The San Francisco Giants reached the World Series by beating the Philadelphia Phillies in a 3-2 nail-biter on Saturday to clinch the National League Championship Series and set up an underdogs' Fall Classic.

American Swimmer Dies In World Cup Race

NEW YORK - U.S. open water swimmer Francis 'Fran' Crippen, a world championship bronze medalist, died during a Marathon Swimming World Cup 10km event in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday, world governing body FINA said.

Coast Guard Investigates Slick Off Gulf Coast

ATLANTA - The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating a large brown slick floating near the mouth of the Mississippi river and said on Saturday it could be weathered oil from the BP spill or just algae bloom.

Jobless Rate Down In 23 States In September

WASHINGTON - Unemployment rates dropped in September in most states, the Labor Department said on Friday ahead of early November elections where jobs are expected to be a key focus for voters selecting governors, state legislators and federal lawmakers.

Rangers Down Yanks To Reach First World Series

ARLINGTON, Texas - The Texas Rangers reached the World Series for the first time in their 50 years as a franchise by beating the New York Yankees 6-1 on Friday to win the American League Championship Series.

OJ Simpson Loses Appeal Of 2008 Robbery Conviction

LOS ANGELES - Nevada's Supreme Court on Friday refused to overturn O.J. Simpson's 2008 robbery conviction for a bungled attempt to recover his own sports memorabilia.

American Pleads Guilty To Trying To Spy For China

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Oct 23 (Reuters Legal) - A Detroit man on Friday pleaded guilty to trying to get a job with the Central Intelligence Agency in order to spy for China and to hiding contacts and money he got from Chinese intelligence agents.

Chicago's Tribune Co Files Reorganization Plan

NEW YORK - Tribune Co filed a reorganization plan late on Friday that will turn over control of the bankrupt newspaper publisher to its leading creditors including JPMorgan Chase & Co, Angelo Gordon & Co and Oaktree Capital Management.

Coast Guard Investigates Slick Off Gulf Coast

ATLANTA - The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating a large brown slick floating near the mouth of the Mississippi river and said on Saturday it could be weathered oil from the BP spill or just algae bloom.

American Swimmer Dies In World Cup Race

NEW YORK - U.S. open water swimmer Francis 'Fran' Crippen, a world championship bronze medalist, died during a Marathon Swimming World Cup 10km event in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday, world governing body FINA said.

Shark Kills Man Off California Coast

SAN FRANCISCO - A shark attacked and killed a man on a boogie board off the California coast near Santa Barbara, local officials said on Friday.

Richard To Become Hurricane, Dumps Rain On Honduras

TEGUCIGALPA - Tropical Storm Richard was gaining strength on Saturday as it dumped rain on Honduras and was seen becoming a hurricane before hitting Belize and Mexico's Yucatan peninsula later in the weekend.

Giants See Off Phillies To Reach World Series

PHILADELPHIA - The San Francisco Giants reached the World Series by beating the Philadelphia Phillies in a 3-2 nail-biter on Saturday to clinch the National League Championship Series and set up an underdogs' Fall Classic.

Mexican Agents Trained In U.S. To Fight Drug Gangs

NORTH CHARLESTON, South Carolina - Twenty-four Mexican customs agents completed a 10-week training course in South Carolina on Friday, the first of hundreds expected to get the same training U.S. agents receive to bolster the fight against powerful drug gangs.

OJ Simpson Loses Appeal Of 2008 Robbery Conviction

LOS ANGELES - Nevada's Supreme Court on Friday refused to overturn O.J. Simpson's 2008 robbery conviction for a bungled attempt to recover his own sports memorabilia.

Richard Expected To Become Hurricane, Hit Yucatan

TEGUCIGALPA - Tropical Storm Richard strengthened on Friday as it churned toward Central America, triggering a hurricane watch along the Honduras-Nicaragua border still recovering from months of heavy rains.

Honda Recalls 528,000 Vehicles, Mainly In U.S.

DETROIT - Honda Motor Co Ltd said on Friday it was recalling 528,000 vehicles worldwide due to potential problems with a master brake cylinder seal.

American Pleads Guilty To Trying To Spy For China

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Oct 23 (Reuters Legal) - A Detroit man on Friday pleaded guilty to trying to get a job with the Central Intelligence Agency in order to spy for China and to hiding contacts and money he got from Chinese intelligence agents.

New Jersey Governor To Re-examine Tunnel Funding

PHILADELPHIA - New Jersey Governor Chris Christie will examine a report this weekend on an $8.7 billion rail tunnel after the federal government urged him to reconsider his cancellation of the project, his spokesman said on Friday.

Cribs Sold At Ethan Allen, Kmart Recalled

BANGALORE - Ethan Allen Interiors Inc and Victory Land Group Thursday recalled 37,250 cribs on reports of suffocation and fall hazards that led to injuries in infants.

Jobless Rate Down In 23 States In September

WASHINGTON - Unemployment rates dropped in September in most states, the Labor Department said on Friday ahead of early November elections where jobs are expected to be a key focus for voters selecting governors, state legislators and federal lawmakers.

Rangers Down Yanks To Reach First World Series

ARLINGTON, Texas - The Texas Rangers reached the World Series for the first time in their 50 years as a franchise by beating the New York Yankees 6-1 on Friday to win the American League Championship Series.

Shark Kills Man Off California Coast

SAN FRANCISCO - A shark attacked and killed a man on a boogie board off the California coast near Santa Barbara, local officials said on Friday.

Court Monitor Sought For California City In Pay Scandal

SAN FRANCISCO - California's attorney general asked a state court on Thursday to appoint a monitor to oversee the finances of the city of Bell, California, which has been embroiled in a scandal over the excessive compensation of some of its former top officials.

NY County To Launch First Animal Abuser Registry

NEW YORK - Sex offender registries are a staple tool nationwide in the United States for keeping track of convicted predators. Now a New York suburb is launching the nation's first animal abuser registry.

Data Shows Small Gains, Monetary Stimulus Seen

WASHINGTON - A batch of new U.S. data on Thursday painted a picture of an economy stuck in slow-growth mode, reinforcing views the Federal Reserve will ease monetary policy further next month to try to reinvigorate the recovery.

States Group OKs Tough Health Insurance Rules

WASHINGTON - U.S. state insurance commissioners unanimously backed tough rules requiring health insurance companies to direct more of the premiums they collect to medical care, rather than corporate salaries and profits.

Gulf Deepwater Drilling Freeze Thawing Slowly

SAN FRANCISCO - Some leading offshore drilling contractors, after reporting declines in quarterly profits, said on Thursday there were encouraging signs for activity in the Gulf of Mexico next year despite a shortage of permits.

Tropical Storm Richard Seen On Gulf Of Mexico Track

MIAMI - Tropical Storm Richard formed over the Caribbean Sea on Thursday and could become a hurricane by the weekend on a forecast track taking it into the Gulf of Mexico next week, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.

Toyota To Recall 1.66 Million Vehicles Globally

TOKYO/DETROIT - Toyota Motor Corp said on Thursday it would recall 1.66 million Avalons, Highlanders and other vehicles, bringing its total for worldwide recalls in the past year to about 14 million.

"Mini-Madoff" Nadel Sentenced To 14 Years Prison

NEW YORK - Arthur Nadel, a fund manager whose $168 million fraud was one of several that collapsed in the declining economy and left hundreds of investors without their money, was sentenced to 14 years in prison on Thursday.

Informant In Rogue U.S. Army Unit Stays Mum

TACOMA, Washington - A U.S. Army private identified as a whistleblower in the investigation of rogue infantrymen accused of terrorizing Afghan civilians and fellow soldiers appeared in military court on Thursday but refused to testify.

Massive Healthcare Fraud Scheme Uncovered In Miami

MIAMI - The top two officials of a leading chain of community mental health centers were among four people arrested in Miami on Thursday in connection with a scheme involving about $200 million in fraudulent medical claims, U.S. prosecutors said.

Obama Courts Women Voters On West Coast Tour

SEATTLE - President Barack Obama will aim his economic message at women voters as he campaigns on the West Coast for two female candidates crucial to Democrats' chances of keeping their fragile majority in the U.S. Senate.

California Vote Has Canadian Green Partners On Edge

VANCOUVER - Canadian provinces moving to cut their greenhouse gas emissions are facing a setback if California, a key partner, decides the battle against global warming should wait for better economic times.

New York Courts Impose New Foreclosure Rule

NEW YORK, Oct 21 (Reuters Legal) - New York courts are the first in the United States to require lawyers handling foreclosures for banks and servicers to take steps to ensure the procedure is done properly, the state's top judge said on Wednesday.

FBI New Computer System Faces More Woes: Report

WASHINGTON - The long-troubled effort to upgrade the FBI's computerized case files is $100 million over budget and now its contractor Lockheed Martin will play a smaller role in the project, a U.S. Justice Department report released on Wednesday said.

Teen Birth Rates Highest In Southern States

CHICAGO - Birth rates among U.S. teenagers vary widely by region, with the highest rates clustered in southern states and the lowest in the Northeast and upper Midwest, government researchers reported on Wednesday.

Virginia Man Pleads Guilty Over Ties To Al Shabaab

WASHINGTON - A Virginia man pleaded guilty on Wednesday to trying to help Somalia's islamic militant group al Shabaab and making threats against the writers of the satirical "South Park" television show for their depiction of the Prophet Mohammad.

Chrysler Recalls Vehicles For Possible Fire Hazard

DETROIT - Chrysler Group LLC is recalling 26,397 vehicles, saying a malfunction with the power steering pressure hose may cause steering fluid to leak over a hot engine and cause a fire.

NY's Times Square Reopened After Threat

NEW YORK - Police temporarily closed streets around New York's Times Square at lunchtime on Wednesday but soon reopened the streets when a suspicious vehicle turned out to be harmless, police said.

Confusion As Gays Attempt To Join Military

WASHINGTON - Dan Choi, a former Iraq war veteran discharged in July for being openly gay, returned to a New York City recruiting station on Wednesday to complete his application to re-enlist in the Army.

Graco Recalls 2 Million Baby Strollers After 4 Deaths

NEW YORK - Graco Children's Products Inc, a unit of Newell Rubbermaid, is recalling about 2 million baby strollers sold before 2008 at major U.S. retailers, after four infants died of strangulation.

Shots Fired At Pentagon, No Injuries

WASHINGTON - A gunman using what investigators believe was a high-velocity rifle fired up to seven shots at the Pentagon early on Tuesday, shattering two windows but injuring no one.

Shoppers Seen Spending More At Christmas

CHICAGO - Shoppers plan to part with more of their cash during the coming holiday season for the first time since a recession took hold three years ago, according to a retailing trade group's survey.

Haven For New York Artists, Chelsea Hotel For Sale

NEW YORK - The New York hotel that inspired creative talent from Sir Arthur Clarke to Sid Vicious is up for sale.

Investment Firms Lobby Against California Prop 23

LOS ANGELES - Nearly 70 investors and investor groups on Tuesday lined up against a California proposal to put the state's climate change law on hold in a sign of the rising stakes for the controversial measure.

U.S. To Pay $760 Million For Mistreating Indian Farmers

WASHINGTON - The U.S. government will spend up to $760 million to compensate American Indian farmers who were unfairly denied loans by the Agriculture Department, the Obama administration announced on Tuesday.

JetBlue Steward Who Fled Via Emergency Chute Pleads Guilty

NEW YORK - A former JetBlue flight attendant who made a profanity-filled exit via an airliner's emergency chute pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal mischief on Tuesday.

U.S. Has Been Told Iran To Try Hikers On November 6

WASHINGTON - The United States has been told that Iran plans to try two U.S. citizens detained for more than a year on November 6 but hopes Tehran will release the men, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told reporters on Tuesday.

Chicago Sheriff Says No To Enforcing Foreclosures

CHICAGO - Two of the largest U.S. mortgage servicers have said they will resume home foreclosures, but a big-city sheriff has news for them: he won't enforce their foreclosure evictions.

Justice Thomas' Wife Calls Husband's Accuser

WASHINGTON - The wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas said on Tuesday she called the woman at the center of his 1991 confirmation hearings scandal and one news report said she asked Anita Hill to consider apologizing for "what you did with my husband."

Jordanian Gets 24 Years For Dallas Bomb Plot

DALLAS - A Jordanian national was sentenced to 24 years in prison on Tuesday by a U.S. District Judge for attempting to blow up a Dallas skyscraper, the U.S. Department of Justice said.

Court Throws Out NCAA Final Four "lottery" Ruling

NEW YORK - A federal appeals court halted a lawsuit accusing the National Collegiate Athletic Association of running an illegal lottery in allocating seats to basketball's Final Four and other popular sports tournaments.

Man Pleads Guilty In $80 Million ATM Ponzi Scheme

NEW YORK - A man pleaded guilty on Monday to helping orchestrate what prosecutors called an $80 million Ponzi scheme that lured victims into investing in automated teller machines that were never purchased.

Justice Department Sues Michigan Blue Cross

WASHINGTON - The Justice Department filed a lawsuit against Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan on Monday, accusing it of violating antitrust law by negotiating contracts with hospitals that bar the hospitals from giving Blue Cross' rivals a better deal.

Televangelist Schuller's Megachurch Files For Ch 11

NEW YORK - The Southern California megachurch founded by televangelist Robert Schuller filed for bankruptcy court protection, saying a number of creditors had opted not to prolong a moratorium on debt payments.

Plane Crash Survivor O'Keefe Back At Work At EADS

WASHINGTON - Two and a half months after surviving a small plane crash that killed five people, Sean O'Keefe returned to work on Monday as the chief executive of the U.S. unit of European aerospace company EADS.

"Octomom" Doctor Risks Losing Medical License

LOS ANGELES - The doctor who implanted 14 embryos into California's so-called "Octomom" should have his medical license revoked for ignoring standard guidelines, a lawyer for the state's medical board said on Monday.

Judge Tentatively Upholds Gays-in-military Order

RIVERSIDE, California - A federal judge tentatively refused Monday to let the Pentagon reinstate its ban on openly gay men and women in the U.S. military while the government appeals her decision declaring the policy unconstitutional.

Cuomo And Paladino Spar In Debate For NY Governor Race

NEW YORK - Democrat Andrew Cuomo and Tea Party-backed Republican Carl Paladino, vying to become the next New York governor, debated on Monday who would best control spending and repair state government but kept their cool amid expectations that tempers might flare.

Musty Odor Sparks Another Tylenol Recall

NEW YORK - A moldy odor has again stricken Johnson & Johnson's Tylenol, and the company is recalling another lot of the over-the-counter painkiller.

Four In New York Bomb Plot Trial Found Guilty

NEW YORK - A federal jury found four men guilty on Monday of placing explosives outside New York synagogues and plotting to shoot down military aircraft.

U.S. Soldier To Face Court-martial In Afghan Slayings

SEATTLE - The first of 12 U.S. soldiers accused of terrorizing unarmed civilians as part of a rogue infantry platoon in Afghanistan will face a court-martial on murder charges and other offenses, the military said on Friday.

Florida Company Unveils Red Celery

MIAMI - A Florida-based U.S. produce company is looking to titillate the eye and the taste buds by offering a new red-colored celery to give a "colorful crunch" to salads and dips.

Iran Frees U.S. Businessman Held For 30 Months: Report

WASHINGTON - Iran has freed a 71-year-old U.S. businessman who had been held in prison for 2 1/2 years on accusations of giving money to an alleged anti-government group, ABC News reported on Saturday.

GM Workers Protest Low-wage Small-car Plant

DETROIT - About 100 General Motors Co workers and retirees picketed outside the United Auto Workers union's headquarters on Saturday to protest plans to build a new small car with low-wage workers.

Fiscal 2010 Deficit Thins To $1.29 Trillion

WASHINGTON - The budget deficit for fiscal 2010 narrowed to $1.294 trillion from last year's record $1.416 trillion as tax collections started to recover and bailout spending fell sharply.

FBI Got Tip About American In Mumbai Attacks: Report

WASHINGTON - The FBI received a tip three years before the 2008 Mumbai attacks that an American man who helped scout the targets was tied to the Pakistani group behind the plot, the Washington Post reported on Friday.

"Leave It To Beaver" Mom Barbara Billingsley Dies

LOS ANGELES - Actress Barbara Billingsley, best known for portraying the quintessential suburban American mom on the 1957-1963 U.S. television comedy "Leave It to Beaver," died on Saturday at age 94.

Clearwire And Sprint Set Big City High-speed Launches

NEW YORK - Sprint Nextel and its Clearwire Corp venture will begin offering their high-speed wireless services from November across some of the busiest U.S. cities: New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Attorney General Holder Opposes California Marijuana Bill

LOS ANGELES - Attorney General Eric Holder says federal authorities will continue to prosecute individuals for possession of marijuana in California even if voters there approve a ballot measure legalizing recreational use of the drug.

Foreclosure Fiasco Frustrates Homeowners

DELRAY BEACH, Florida - Curtis Jones has fought for more than a year to keep his two-story townhouse in this beachside Florida city from being foreclosed.

Tribune Co. Executive Resigns After E-mail Flap

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Lee Abrams, chief innovation officer at Los Angeles Times owner Tribune Company, has resigned, Crain's Chicago Business reported Friday.

Citi, Terra Firma Held Settlement Talks: Report

DETROIT - Citigroup Inc and Terra Firma Capital Partners Ltd founder Guy Hands held settlement talks this week aimed at resolving a legal dispute over the 2007 sale of debt-laden music label EMI, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday.

U.S. Soldier To Face Court-martial In Afghan Slayings

SEATTLE - The first of 12 U.S. soldiers accused of terrorizing unarmed civilians as part of a rogue infantry platoon in Afghanistan will face a court-martial on murder charges and other offenses, the military said on Friday.

Florida Company Unveils Red Celery

MIAMI - A Florida-based U.S. produce company is looking to titillate the eye and the taste buds by offering a new red-colored celery to give a "colorful crunch" to salads and dips.

Iran Frees U.S. Businessman Held For 30 Months: Report

WASHINGTON - Iran has freed a 71-year-old U.S. businessman who had been held in prison for 2 1/2 years on accusations of giving money to an alleged anti-government group, ABC News reported on Saturday.

GM Workers Protest Low-wage Small-car Plant

DETROIT - About 100 General Motors Co workers and retirees picketed outside the United Auto Workers union's headquarters on Saturday to protest plans to build a new small car with low-wage workers.

Fiscal 2010 Deficit Thins To $1.29 Trillion

WASHINGTON - The budget deficit for fiscal 2010 narrowed to $1.294 trillion from last year's record $1.416 trillion as tax collections started to recover and bailout spending fell sharply.

FBI Got Tip About American In Mumbai Attacks: Report

WASHINGTON - The FBI received a tip three years before the 2008 Mumbai attacks that an American man who helped scout the targets was tied to the Pakistani group behind the plot, the Washington Post reported on Friday.

"Leave It To Beaver" Mom Barbara Billingsley Dies

LOS ANGELES - Actress Barbara Billingsley, best known for portraying the quintessential suburban American mom on the 1957-1963 U.S. television comedy "Leave It to Beaver," died on Saturday at age 94.

Attorney General Holder Opposes California Marijuana Bill

LOS ANGELES - Attorney General Eric Holder says federal authorities will continue to prosecute individuals for possession of marijuana in California even if voters there approve a ballot measure legalizing recreational use of the drug.

Delta Air Says Will Add 1,000 Flight Attendants

ATLANTA - Delta Air Lines Inc said on Friday it would add 1,000 flight attendants through a combination of new hires and recalls of furloughed workers for international assignments.

CareFusion Recall Classified As Most Serious Type

CHICAGO - The Food and Drug Administration has classified CareFusion Corp's August recall of 17,000 Alaris medication pumps as a Class I recall, the most serious type, the company said on Friday.

Tribune Co. Executive Resigns After E-mail Flap

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Lee Abrams, chief innovation officer at Los Angeles Times owner Tribune Company, has resigned, Crain's Chicago Business reported Friday.

U.S. Soldier To Face Court-martial In Afghan Slayings

SEATTLE - The first of 12 U.S. soldiers accused of terrorizing unarmed civilians as part of a rogue infantry platoon in Afghanistan will face a court-martial on murder charges and other offenses, the military said on Friday.

GM Recalls Chevy Impalas On Seat Belt Issue

DETROIT - General Motors Co is recalling 322,409 model year 2009 and 2010 Chevrolet Impala sedans because front seat belts may not be properly anchored, the automaker and federal regulators said on Friday.

Yankees Roar Back To Beat Rangers In AL Series Opener

ARLINGTON, Texas - The New York Yankees erupted for five runs in the eighth inning as they overcame a 5-0 deficit to beat the Texas Rangers 6-5 in Friday's opening game of the American League Championship Series.

Pentagon Cautions Gays About Revealing Identity

WASHINGTON - The Pentagon said on Friday it was abiding by a court injunction not to discharge openly gay men and women in the U.S. military but warned them against changing their behavior while legal challenges continue.

Fiscal 2010 Deficit Thins To $1.29 Trillion

WASHINGTON - The budget deficit for fiscal 2010 narrowed to $1.294 trillion from last year's record $1.416 trillion as tax collections started to recover and bailout spending fell sharply.

FBI Got Tip About American In Mumbai Attacks: Report

WASHINGTON - The FBI received a tip three years before the 2008 Mumbai attacks that an American man who helped scout the targets was tied to the Pakistani group behind the plot, the Washington Post reported on Friday.

Attorney General Holder Opposes California Marijuana Bill

LOS ANGELES - Attorney General Eric Holder says federal authorities will continue to prosecute individuals for possession of marijuana in California even if voters there approve a ballot measure legalizing recreational use of the drug.

Wall St Blames Homeowners In Foreclosure Fiasco

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina - Wall Street's reaction to the allegations that some banks cut corners while foreclosing on 3 million homes since 2007: Pay your mortgage in the first place.

CVS To Pay $78 Mln To Settle Meth Ingredient Probe

SAN FRANCISCO - CVS Caremark Corp has agreed to pay $77.6 million to settle an investigation that its drugstores allowed widespread sales of cough medicines used to manufacture the illegal stimulant methamphetamine.

Canadian's Guantanamo Trial Delayed Amid Talks

MIAMI - A U.S. military judge on Thursday postponed the Guantanamo war crimes trial of a Canadian prisoner captured in Afghanistan at age 15 while his lawyers tried to reach a deal for him to plead guilty in exchange for leniency.

Accused Airline Bomber Waives Right To Fast U.S. Trial

DETROIT - The Nigerian man accused of trying to blow up a U.S. airliner with a bomb hidden in his underwear last year, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, on Thursday waived his right to a speedy trial.

U.N. Official: U.S. Is $1.2 Billion In Arrears At U.N.

UNITED NATIONS - The United States owes $1.2 billion to the United Nations, more than a quarter of the payments owed the world body by all member states, a senior U.N. official said on Thursday.

Senator Says New Hudson Tunnel Vital For Security

NEW YORK - A planned New York-New Jersey Hudson River rail tunnel -- whose future now is in jeopardy -- is vital for the security of the surrounding area where 12 million people live, a U.S. senator said on Thursday.

Sept 11 Workers Reach Deal With World Trade Center

NEW YORK - Lawyers for more than 9,000 workers injured or sickened during the rescue, recovery and cleanup of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center reached a $47.5 million deal with the site owners on Thursday.

Government To Conduct Surprise Oil Rig Inspections

WASHINGTON - The U.S. offshore drilling agency will begin conducting surprise inspections on oil rigs as part of a new aggressive enforcement effort adopted by the Obama administration since the BP oil spill, the agency's head said on Thursday.

Judge Asked To Stay Ruling On Military Gay Ban

WASHINGTON - The Obama administration on Thursday asked a judge to allow the Pentagon to keep its ban against openly gay men and women in the military while it appeals her decision that ruled the "don't ask, don't tell" policy was unconstitutional.

Judge Lets States' Healthcare Suit Go Forward

MIAMI - U.S. states can proceed with a lawsuit seeking to overturn President Barack Obama's landmark healthcare reform law, a Florida judge ruled Thursday.

BofA's Countrywide Wins Dismissal Of Mortgage Case

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct 13 (Reuters Legal) - Investors cannot force Countrywide Financial Corp. to buy back mortgages that the lender agreed to modify, a New York court ruled.

Iconic Podium Protestor Smith Puts Medal Up For Auction

NEW YORK - Tommie Smith, famous for his iconic Black Power salute at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, has put his gold medal and running shoes up for auction with a New York-based memorabilia vendor.

Crime Group Charged In $100 Million Medicare Fraud

NEW YORK - Dozens of people alleged to be members of an Armenian-American crime group were charged in federal court on Wednesday with what prosecutors said was the country's largest single Medicare fraud, involving at least $100 million in false medical claims.

Victims Recall Horror Of Texas Base Shooting

SAN ANTONIO - Victims of last year's shooting rampage at a Texas Army base faced their alleged assailant for the first time in court on Wednesday, after a U.S. military board denied a request to delay the tribunal until November.

Court Considers Texas Death Row DNA Case

WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court on Wednesday considered whether a Texas death row inmate should be allowed to use civil rights law to gain access to DNA evidence that could prove his innocence in a triple murder.

Rattner Nears SEC Settlement Over Charges: Source

NEW YORK - Steven Rattner, the former head of the U.S. auto task force, is near to settling with the Securities and Exchange Commission over questions on whether he took part in a state pension pay-to-play scheme, a source familiar with the situation said on Wednesday.

Gulf Oil Workers Relieved But Wary As Drill Ban Ends

OCEAN SPRINGS, Mississippi - U.S. oil workers on the Gulf of Mexico coast breathed a sigh of relief on Wednesday over a government decision to lift an offshore deepwater drilling ban, but they remain wary about the future.

FCC Eyes An End To Shocking Mobile Phone Bills

WASHINGTON - Mobile phone companies would have to warn customers before they rack up eye-popping extra fees on their bills under rules that the U.S. Federal Communications Commission will propose on Thursday.

Wal-Mart To Add Small U.S. Stores

CHICAGO -Wal-Mart Stores Inc will increase store building in the United States next year, including adding more smaller stores to try to reach more customers, even as it expects sales at existing stores to improve in coming months.

September Home Foreclosures Top 100,000 For First Time

WASHINGTON - The number of homes taken over by banks topped 100,000 for the first time in September, though foreclosures are expected to slow in coming months as lenders work through questionable paperwork, real estate data company RealtyTrac said on Thursday.

Denials Up Amid Large Health Insurers: Lawmakers

WASHINGTON - Coverage denials of individuals based on their medical histories by the nation's top for-profit health insurance companies rose by nearly half in recent years, U.S. lawmakers said on Tuesday.

NY Governor Hopefuls Seek Budget Caps But Few Work: Study

NEW YORK - New York's Democratic and Republican candidates for governor have proposed braking the state's runaway spending with a legal cap, but a new report found most such measures do not work unless married with other limits.

Google Joins $5 Billion U.S. Offshore Wind Grid Project

BOSTON - Google Inc has thrown its financial clout behind an ambitious $5 billion proposed electric transmission line aimed at jump-starting investment in new wind farms off the heavily populated U.S. East Coast.

Accused Fort Hood Shooter Seeks To Delay Tribunal

SAN ANTONIO - A Muslim Army major charged in last year's killing rampage at a Texas Army base sat in a courtroom packed with victims and their families on Tuesday, as his lawyer sought to delay a military tribunal until November.

Wal-Mart To Start Selling Apple's IPad

SAN FRANCISCO - Wal-Mart Stores Inc will start selling Apple's iPad tablet computer this Friday.

Joblessness Soars For African-Americans In DC: Report

WASHINGTON - The U.S. economic recession was especially devastating to the job prospects and incomes of African-American residents of Washington, D.C., according to a new report on the majority black city's labor market.

Judge Orders Military To Stop Gay Service Ban

WASHINGTON - A U.S. judge on Tuesday ordered the Pentagon to stop banning openly gay men and women from serving in the military after ruling last month that the "don't ask, don't tell" policy was unconstitutional.

First Guantanamo Detainee Criminal Trial Begins In NY

NEW YORK - The first criminal trial of a terrorism suspect from Guantanamo Bay began on Tuesday with prosecutors calling him a militant while the defense said he was a naive associate of extremists who bombed U.S. embassies.

After Chicago Win, Will Wal-Mart Look To New York?

CHICAGO - Wal-Mart Stores Inc won the right to open two more stores in Chicago this year, but does that mean the world's largest retailer can eventually take Manhattan?

Obama Administration Appeals Gay Marriage Ruling

WASHINGTON - The Obama administration decided on Tuesday to appeal a judge's rulings that prevented the U.S. government from banning same-sex marriages, a move that could undermine support among President Barack Obama's traditional liberal base ahead of a key election.

Gulf Coast Attorneys To Lead U.S. Oil Spill Lawsuits

WILMINGTON, Delaware - Four attorneys from Texas, Louisiana and Florida were appointed on Friday to a committee to lead the hundreds of oil spill-related lawsuits against BP Plc and its partners, according to court documents.

Tropical Storm Paula Spins Off Honduras

TEGUCIGALPA - Tropical Storm Paula, the 16th named storm of the busy 2010 Atlantic hurricane season, spun along Honduras' Caribbean coast on Monday and took aim at Mexico's Yucatan peninsula.

U.S. Won't Appeal Guantanamo Witness Ruling

NEW YORK - Prosecutors on Sunday said they will not appeal a U.S. judge's ruling that refused to let a key witness testify in the first criminal trial of a terrorism suspect from the Guantanamo Bay military prison.

Foreclosure Halt Could Hit Investors

WASHINGTON - A U.S.-wide foreclosure moratorium could penalize investors and make new home loans more expensive and harder to obtain, an investor group and industry experts warned on Monday.

Pressure Intensifies On Mortgage Lenders

WASHINGTON - More than two-thirds of U.S. state attorneys general plan this week to launch a joint probe into charges some banks used fraudulent paperwork to kick struggling borrowers out of their homes, a source familiar with the effort told Reuters on Sunday.

First Patient Treated In Geron Stem Cell Trial

WASHINGTON - U.S. doctors have begun treating the first patient to receive human embryonic stem cells, but details of the patient enrolled in the landmark clinical trial are being kept confidential, Geron Corp said on Monday.

Not Many Early Bonuses For Wall St Banks: Experts

NEW YORK - Large Wall Street banks are unlikely to accelerate bonus payouts, even if doling out bonuses in December would cut the tax bills of employees, compensation experts said.

Plastic Explosives Found In New York Cemetery

NEW YORK - A police bomb squad investigated military-grade C-4 plastic explosives found in a historic New York City cemetery on Monday.

Army Tribunal To Consider Trial In Fort Hood Mass Killing

HOUSTON - A U.S. military tribunal meets on Tuesday to decide if a Muslim Army major will stand trial for a killing spree at a Texas base last year that raised concern over the threat of "home grown" terrorist attacks.

States To Probe U.S. Mortgage Foreclosures: Report

- As many as 40 state attorneys general in the United States are expected to announce an investigation into the mortgage servicing industry on Wednesday, the Wall Street Journal said.

California Budget Approved 100 Days Late

SACRAMENTO, California - California on Friday approved a state budget filled with spending cuts and creative accounting to fill a $19.3 billion deficit, 100 days after a spending plan should have been in place.

Wanjiru Blows Away Chicago Marathon Rivals As Temperatures Soar

CHICAGO - Olympic champion Sammy Wanjiru surged past his rivals in the closing stages to win his second successive Chicago marathon Sunday, while organizers warned runners to pace themselves as temperatures soared in the Windy City.

U.S. Judge Dismisses Case Against Agility Subsidiary

ATLANTA - A U.S. magistrate judge has recommended the dismissal of a case against a U.S. subsidiary of Kuwait's Agility, which is accused by prosecutors of fraud over multibillion dollar contracts with the U.S. Army.

Soul Singer Solomon Burke Dies In Amsterdam

AMSTERDAM - U.S. soul singer Solomon Burke died at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam on Sunday morning, aged 70, after flying in from Los Angeles, Dutch media reported.

Yankees Advance To AL Championship Series

NEW YORK - The New York Yankees advanced to the American League Championship Series by beating the Minnesota Twins 6-1 on Saturday to complete a three-game sweep of their best-of-five Division Series.

Schwarzenegger Leads U.S. Tech Investors To Russia

MOSCOW - Russia's ambition to become a hi-tech economy will be under scrutiny this week when California state governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and a host of prospective investors from Silicon Valley look for opportunities at the country's flagship technology hub.

Trinidad Pair To Be Tried In U.S. Over Airport Fraud

PORT OF SPAIN - Trinidad and Tobago's attorney general has cleared the extradition to the United States of two local businessmen wanted on fraud and corruption charges relating to the construction of Trinidad's $1.6 billion Piarco international airport terminal.

Gulf Coast Attorneys To Lead U.S. Oil Spill Lawsuits

WILMINGTON, Delaware - Four attorneys from Texas, Louisiana and Florida were appointed on Friday to a committee to lead the hundreds of oil spill-related lawsuits against BP Plc and its partners, according to court documents.

U.S. Won't Appeal Guantanamo Witness Ruling

NEW YORK - Prosecutors on Sunday said they will not appeal a U.S. judge's ruling that refused to let a key witness testify in the first criminal trial of a terrorism suspect from the Guantanamo Bay military prison.

Pressure Intensifies On Mortgage Lenders

WASHINGTON - More than two-thirds of U.S. state attorneys general plan this week to launch a joint probe into charges some banks used fraudulent paperwork to kick struggling borrowers out of their homes, a source familiar with the effort told Reuters on Sunday.

California AG Calls For Foreclosure Halt

SAN FRANCISCO - California Attorney General Jerry Brown on Friday called on lenders to halt foreclosures in the state, following recent disclosures of problems with legal documentation in home seizures.

Transport Secretary Aims To Save Hudson Tunnel

NEW YORK - Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood on Friday said federal and New Jersey officials will review options for the Hudson River Tunnel project that the state's governor canceled a day earlier due to its high cost.

Raytheon Banking On Cost-efficient Security Answers

MARLBOROUGH, Massachusetts - Raytheon Co has embarked on a new low-cost, high-volume strategy to make gains in the homeland security market in the United States and abroad as it looks for ways to offset flatter U.S. military demand.

Harrisburg, Pa., Seeks Bankruptcy Attorneys

NEW YORK - The City Council of Harrisburg, the cash-poor capital of Pennsylvania, on Friday advertised for attorneys who could advise it on whether to file for bankruptcy or enroll in the state "distressed cities" program.

U.S. Pulls Abbott's Meridia Diet Drug Off Market

WASHINGTON - Abbott Laboratories' has pulled its controversial diet drug, Meridia, off the U.S. market after regulators said it was too dangerous, making it the latest casualty in the troubled obesity drug sector.

BofA U.S.-wide Foreclosure Halt Draws Calls For More

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina - U.S. lawmakers pushed for the country's largest mortgage lenders to suspend foreclosures in all 50 states after Bank of America Corp announced on Friday it would temporarily halt evictions nationwide.

California Budget Approved 100 Days Late

SACRAMENTO, California - California on Friday approved a state budget filled with spending cuts and creative accounting to fill a $19.3 billion deficit, 100 days after a spending plan should have been in place.

U.S. Judge Dismisses Case Against Agility Subsidiary

ATLANTA - A U.S. magistrate judge has recommended the dismissal of a case against a U.S. subsidiary of Kuwait's Agility, which is accused by prosecutors of fraud over multibillion dollar contracts with the U.S. Army.

Yankees Advance To AL Championship Series

NEW YORK - The New York Yankees advanced to the American League Championship Series by beating the Minnesota Twins 6-1 on Saturday to complete a three-game sweep of their best-of-five Division Series.

Gulf Coast Attorneys To Lead U.S. Oil Spill Lawsuits

WILMINGTON, Delaware - Four attorneys from Texas, Louisiana and Florida were appointed on Friday to a committee to lead the hundreds of oil spill-related lawsuits against BP Plc and its partners, according to court documents.

Harry Potter Can't Make 3-D Magic

LOS ANGELES - Warner Bros on Friday said it abandoned plans to convert the next Harry Potter movie to 3-D, bringing mixed reactions from box office watchers and fans of the multibillion-dollar blockbuster franchise.

U.S. Payrolls Fall And Investors Bet On Fed Move Soon

WASHINGTON - The U.S. economy shed jobs for a fourth straight month in September, hit by government layoffs and slower private hiring, hardening expectations of more stimulus from the Federal Reserve.

California AG Calls For Foreclosure Halt

SAN FRANCISCO - California Attorney General Jerry Brown on Friday called on lenders to halt foreclosures in the state, following recent disclosures of problems with legal documentation in home seizures.

Transport Secretary Aims To Save Hudson Tunnel

NEW YORK - Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood on Friday said federal and New Jersey officials will review options for the Hudson River Tunnel project that the state's governor canceled a day earlier due to its high cost.

Gulf Coast Attorneys To Lead U.S. Oil Spill Lawsuits

WILMINGTON, Delaware - Four attorneys from Texas, Louisiana and Florida were appointed on Friday to a committee to lead the hundreds of oil spill-related lawsuits against BP Plc and its partners, according to court documents.

Raytheon Banking On Cost-efficient Security Answers

MARLBOROUGH, Massachusetts - Raytheon Co has embarked on a new low-cost, high-volume strategy to make gains in the homeland security market in the United States and abroad as it looks for ways to offset flatter U.S. military demand.

California Budget Approved 100 Days Late

SACRAMENTO, California - California on Friday approved a state budget filled with spending cuts and creative accounting to fill a $19.3 billion deficit, 100 days after a spending plan should have been in place.

Harrisburg, Pa., Seeks Bankruptcy Attorneys

NEW YORK - The City Council of Harrisburg, the cash-poor capital of Pennsylvania, on Friday advertised for attorneys who could advise it on whether to file for bankruptcy or enroll in the state "distressed cities" program.

U.S. Pulls Abbott's Meridia Diet Drug Off Market

WASHINGTON - Abbott Laboratories' has pulled its controversial diet drug, Meridia, off the U.S. market after regulators said it was too dangerous, making it the latest casualty in the troubled obesity drug sector.

BofA U.S.-wide Foreclosure Halt Draws Calls For More

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina - U.S. lawmakers pushed for the country's largest mortgage lenders to suspend foreclosures in all 50 states after Bank of America Corp announced on Friday it would temporarily halt evictions nationwide.

Job Losses In 2009 Likely Bigger Than Thought

WASHINGTON - The economy likely shed more jobs last year than previously thought, but analysts say the undercount by the government should prove less severe than it did during depths of the recession.

New York Takes New Aim At Sugary Drinks

NEW YORK - New York expanded its anti-obesity campaign on Thursday with a proposal to ban the use of food stamps to buy sugary drinks, drawing beverage industry complaints that it is another government attempt to tell people how to behave.

Accused Airline Bomber "not Radicalized At UK University"

LONDON - A Nigerian accused of trying to blow up a U.S.-bound airliner was not radicalized during his days as a student in Britain, a report on Friday said, challenging suggestions he was recruited on campus.

California Assembly Approves Main State Budget Bill

SACRAMENTO, California - California's Assembly approved on Thursday the main state budget bill hammered out last week by top lawmakers and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Pfizer Says Recalled 191,000 Lipitor Bottles

NEW YORK - Pfizer Inc said it recalled 191,000 bottles of its top-selling Lipitor cholesterol fighter following reports of a musty odor coming from some bottles of the medicine made by a third-party supplier.

Trial Urged For U.S. Soldier Accused Of Afghan Murders

SEATTLE - A military judge has recommended the court-martial of a U.S. soldier charged with murdering Afghan civilians for sport, collecting fingers from dead bodies and other crimes, according to documents obtained on Thursday by Reuters.

Judge Upholds Key Part Of Obama Healthcare Law

WASHINGTON - A judge on Thursday upheld a key part of President Barack Obama's signature healthcare law that requires Americans to obtain coverage, rejecting a challenge by a conservative interest group.

Poverty Rises In Suburbs, Help Lags: Brookings

WASHINGTON - Poverty has increased in the suburbs of U.S. cities in the last decade, but public services to the poor have not kept pace, according to a report by the Brookings Institution on Thursday.

NJ Governor Kills Hudson River Tunnel Due To Costs

TRENTON, NJ - One of the biggest U.S. transport projects ended on Thursday after New Jersey's governor said the state could not afford the risk that a new rail tunnel under the Hudson River could cost billions more than planned.

Employment Seen Flat In September

WASHINGTON - The economy probably added no jobs in September as shrinking government payrolls offset modest gains in private hiring, an outcome that would cement expectations of further Federal Reserve action to spur the recovery.

U.S. Job Losses In 2009 Likely Bigger Than Thought

WASHINGTON - The economy likely shed more jobs last year than previously thought, but analysts say the undercount by the government should prove less severe than it did during depths of the recession.

World Trade Center Arts Space Gets $100 Million

NEW YORK - The long-stalled Performing Arts Center planned for Lower Manhattan's rebuilt World Trade Center got a $100 million boost on Wednesday though its opening is years away.

Court Keeps Spying Claims Against Mattel Alive

SAN FRANCISCO - Mattel Inc will answer accusations it spied on rival toymakers by infiltrating their private showrooms around the globe, after a U.S. court denied its motion to dismiss claims filed by rival MGA.

Lady Gaga "more Powerful" Than Nancy Pelosi: Forbes

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - The Forbes list of the world's most powerful women includes Oprah Winfrey, Lady Gaga, Beyonce Knowles and Ellen DeGeneres, all of whom apparently wield more power than the woman who is second in line for U.S. president.

NYC May Try To Prune Union Pensions Via Bargaining

NEW YORK - New York City may ask the state to give it back the power to negotiate retirement benefits with city public workers in a bid to curb soaring pension costs.

Poor Healthcare May Shorten American Lives: Study

WASHINGTON - Americans die sooner than citizens of a dozen other developed nations and the usual suspects -- obesity, traffic accidents and a high murder rate -- are not to blame, researchers reported on Thursday.

In Blow To Obama, Guantanamo Detainee Trial Delayed

NEW YORK - A U.S. judge refused on Wednesday to let a key witness testify in the first criminal trial of a terrorism suspect from the Guantanamo Bay military prison, a setback for the Obama administration's effort to prosecute such cases.

Court Considers Anti-gay Protests At Funerals

WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court on Wednesday considered whether a church has the legal right to stage anti-gay protests at U.S. military funerals to promote its claim that God is angry at America for tolerance toward homosexuals.

Michelle Obama Ranked World's Most Powerful Woman

NEW YORK - First lady Michelle Obama beat out heads of state, chief executives and celebrities to rank as the world's most powerful woman in Forbes magazine's annual listing on Wednesday.

U.S. Deports Record Number Of Illegal Immigrants

WASHINGTON - U.S. authorities deported a record 393,000 illegal immigrants in the 2010 fiscal year that ended last month, half of whom had committed a crime, Department of Homeland Security officials said on Wednesday.

Donald Trump Thinks About 2012 Presidential Bid

WASHINGTON - When billionaire real estate mogul Donald Trump looks in the mirror, he is starting to see the possibility of a U.S. president staring back at him.

CNN's "Parker Spitzer" Gets Bad Reviews, Low Ratings

LOS ANGELES - CNN's primetime talk show anchored by disgraced ex-New York governor Eliot Spitzer and journalist Kathleen Parker debuted to low viewership and scathing reviews, with comments on Tuesday ranging from "unbearable" to "icky" and "obnoxious".

Continental Attendants Decline Joint Contract Talks: Report

NEW YORK - Flight attendants with Continental Airlines Inc said they will not participate in contract talks with their peers at United Airlines, according to a report in Bloomberg.

In California, Illegal Housekeepers Are No Shock

LOS ANGELES - If most California voters seem to have shrugged off the controversy over Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman's illegal immigrant housekeeper, it may be because so many of the state's residents have been in Whitman's shoes.

Court Considers NASA Employee Background Checks

WASHINGTON - Supreme Court justices questioned on Tuesday whether the federal government in its background investigations of employees can ask about their drug treatment, medical conditions or sexual practices.

Doctor Shortage Looming? Use Nurses, Report Says

WASHINGTON - Nurses can handle much of the strain that healthcare reform will place on doctors and should be given both the education and the authority to take on more medical duties, the U.S. Institute of Medicine said on Tuesday.

NY Personal Income Falls For 1st Time In 70 Years

NEW YORK - The recession put a 3.1 percent dent in the personal incomes of New York state residents, who endured their first full-year decline in more than 70 years, according to a report released on Tuesday.

Defiant Times Square Bomber Gets Life In Prison

NEW YORK - A smirking Pakistani-born U.S. citizen who tried to set off a car bomb in New York's busy Times Square was sentenced on Tuesday to life in prison after he defiantly said more attacks on America were imminent.

Most Californians Oppose Legalizing Marijuana: Poll

SAN FRANCISCO - Hopes that California will become the first state in the nation to legalize marijuana appear to be turning into a pipe dream.

Lawmakers Seek Foreclosure Investigations

WASHINGTON - California Democrats in the House of Representatives are calling for federal investigations into whether financial institutions broke any laws in their handling of foreclosures in the midst of the housing crisis.

U.S. Views Sought In Iraqi Contractor Torture Case

WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court on Monday asked the U.S. government for its views about a lawsuit claiming that employees of two defense contractors took part in the torture and abuse of Iraqis at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.

Giants Win NL West As Braves Claim Wildcard

NEW YORK - The San Francisco Giants beat the San Diego Padres 3-0 to claim the NL West title and hand the wildcard to the Atlanta Braves as Major League Baseball's playoff match-ups were settled on the last day of the season.

Gorging Study Shows With Fat, Location Matters

WASHINGTON - Researchers who persuaded slender volunteers to gorge themselves on sweets to gain weight said on Monday they have overturned the common wisdom that adults cannot grow new fat cells.

Four In NY Bomb Plot Trial Called "ready And Able"

NEW YORK - Four men accused of placing explosives outside New York synagogues last year were "ready and able" to commit crimes, prosecutors said on Monday, while the defense argued that they were victims of entrapment.

Terrorism Alert Tips U.S. Hand, But Just Barely

WASHINGTON - The U.S. warning to citizens of an increased risk of terrorist attacks in Europe also sent a clear message to militants: "We're on to you."

FBI Arrests 11 In Alabama In Gambling Probe

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - U.S. authorities charged four Alabama legislators and two businessman on Monday in an alleged vote-buying scheme to push legislation to expand electronic bingo in the state, the Department of Justice said.

CEOs Wary Of Health Costs, End Of Bush Tax Cuts

WASHINGTON - U.S. chief executives are becoming more confident about the economy, though many worry high employee health care costs and the possible end of Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans could hurt businesses.

U.S. Airlines See No Impact From Attack Alert

ATLANTA - Major U.S. airlines said their flights and schedules have been unaffected by a U.S. State Department alert on Sunday that warned American tourists of the potential for attacks by al-Qaeda and other groups in Europe.

U.S., UK Raise Terrorism Threat Level In Europe

WASHINGTON/LONDON - The United States and Britain warned their citizens on Sunday of an increased risk of terrorist attacks in Europe, with Washington saying al Qaeda might target transport infrastructure.

Racial Predatory Loans Fueled U.S. Housing Crisis: Study

CHICAGO - Predatory lending aimed at racially segregated minority neighborhoods led to mass foreclosures that fueled the U.S. housing crisis, according to a new study published in the American Sociological Review.

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Ravaged By Disease

SALMON, Idaho - Across the northern Rocky Mountains, bighorn sheep are dying by the hundreds from pneumonia and alarmed wildlife officials are hunting and killing the majestic animals to halt the spread of the disease.

Oklahoma Investigates Salmonella Outbreak

OKLAHOMA CITY - Oklahoma health officials are investigating an outbreak of salmonella in several schoolchildren and some adults and say it may be connected to similar outbreaks in Iowa and Nebraska.

California Leaders Break Budget Impasse With Deal

SACRAMENTO, California - A top California lawmaker said on Friday the state's leaders had reached a final agreement on closing a $19.1 billion deficit to balance the state budget, ending a record stalemate over a spending plan.

BofA Suspends Foreclosures In 23 States

NEW YORK - Amid growing public anger over home seizures, Bank of America Corp has suspended some of its foreclosures and JPMorgan Chase & Co has come under investigation in California and Connecticut.

Big Crowd Gathers For Liberal Rally In Washington

WASHINGTON - Tens of thousands of people rallied near the Lincoln Memorial in the U.S. capital on Saturday as liberal groups attempted to energize their base a month before pivotal congressional elections.

Condom Use Routine For U.S. Teens, Not Adults

CHICAGO - U.S. teens are not as reckless as some people might think when it comes to sex, and they are much more likely to use condoms than people over 40, according to a survey released on Monday that could help guide public health policy.

Fresenius Kabi Recalls India Unit Drug From U.S.: Report

MUMBAI - Indian drugmaker Fresenius Kabi Oncology Ltd has seen two batches of a cancer drug shipped to the U.S. being recalled by its German parent, Fresenius Kabi Pharmaceuticals Holdin Inc, the Economic Times reported on Monday.

Verizon Wireless To Pay Refunds For Billing Errors

NEW YORK - Verizon Wireless in a statement Sunday said it will pay millions of dollars in refunds to 15 million cell phone customers who were erroneously charged for data sessions or Internet use.

U.S., UK Raise Terrorism Threat Level In Europe

WASHINGTON/LONDON - The United States and Britain warned their citizens on Sunday of an increased risk of terrorist attacks in Europe, with Washington saying al Qaeda might target transport infrastructure.

Racial Predatory Loans Fueled U.S. Housing Crisis: Study

CHICAGO - Predatory lending aimed at racially segregated minority neighborhoods led to mass foreclosures that fueled the U.S. housing crisis, according to a new study published in the American Sociological Review.

Opposition To Education Rules Gathers Steam

BANGALORE - U.S. for-profit colleges, widely criticized for saddling students with big debts and not fully preparing them for the workplace, are kicking back as they garner public support.

White House Defends Economic Stimulus Plan

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama's $814 billion economic stimulus plan is meeting its targets for spending and job creation, White House officials said on Friday, however unpopular it may be with the public.

Death Toll Rises As Storm Lashes Eastern U.S.

BOSTON - Tropical storm Nicole lashed the eastern United States with heavy rain and high winds again on Friday, causing more flooding and leaving one Pennsylvania woman dead in a weather-related traffic accident.

Cyber Command Slips Behind Schedule

WASHINGTON - Cyber Command, responsible for shielding 15,000 U.S. military networks and for being ready to go to war in cyberspace, has slipped behind schedule for becoming fully operational, the Defense Department said on Friday.

TV Anchor Sanchez Leaves CNN After Comments On Jews

ATLANTA - CNN and its high-profile anchor Rick Sanchez parted ways on Friday, a day after Sanchez made controversial comments about Jews on a radio show.

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Ravaged By Disease

SALMON, Idaho - Across the northern Rocky Mountains, bighorn sheep are dying by the hundreds from pneumonia and alarmed wildlife officials are hunting and killing the majestic animals to halt the spread of the disease.

Oklahoma Investigates Salmonella Outbreak

OKLAHOMA CITY - Oklahoma health officials are investigating an outbreak of salmonella in several schoolchildren and some adults and say it may be connected to similar outbreaks in Iowa and Nebraska.

California Leaders Break Budget Impasse With Deal

SACRAMENTO, California - A top California lawmaker said on Friday the state's leaders had reached a final agreement on closing a $19.1 billion deficit to balance the state budget, ending a record stalemate over a spending plan.

BofA Suspends Foreclosures In 23 States

NEW YORK - Amid growing public anger over home seizures, Bank of America Corp has suspended some of its foreclosures and JPMorgan Chase & Co has come under investigation in California and Connecticut.

Big Crowd Gathers For Liberal Rally In Washington

WASHINGTON - Tens of thousands of people rallied near the Lincoln Memorial in the U.S. capital on Saturday as liberal groups attempted to energize their base a month before pivotal congressional elections.

Lower-income U.S. Families See Government More Favorably: Survey

NEW YORK - Lower-income American families rate government policies more favorably than those of higher-income brackets, according to a survey released on Friday showed.

BP Pledges Gulf Of Mexico Oil Fields To Spill Fund

LONDON - BP, which faces U.S. opposition to drilling for oil in the Gulf of Mexico, named fields there that it will use to help finance its $20 billion fund for victims of the worst oil spill in U.S. history.

Death Toll Rises As Storm Lashes Eastern U.S.

BOSTON - Tropical storm Nicole lashed the eastern United States with heavy rain and high winds again on Friday, causing more flooding and leaving one Pennsylvania woman dead in a weather-related traffic accident.

Cyber Command Slips Behind Schedule

WASHINGTON - Cyber Command, responsible for shielding 15,000 U.S. military networks and for being ready to go to war in cyberspace, has slipped behind schedule for becoming fully operational, the Defense Department said on Friday.

White House Defends Economic Stimulus Plan

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama's $814 billion economic stimulus plan is meeting its targets for spending and job creation, White House officials said on Friday, however unpopular it may be with the public.

BMW Recalls 350,000 Cars, Including Rolls-Royces

PARIS - BMW is voluntarily recalling 350,000 cars worldwide due to a possible brake problems that the world's biggest premium carmaker said have not caused any accidents.

Opposition To Education Rules Gathers Steam

BANGALORE - U.S. for-profit colleges, widely criticized for saddling students with big debts and not fully preparing them for the workplace, are kicking back as they garner public support.

TV Anchor Sanchez Leaves CNN After Comments On Jews

ATLANTA - CNN and its high-profile anchor Rick Sanchez parted ways on Friday, a day after Sanchez made controversial comments about Jews on a radio show.

California Leaders Break Budget Impasse With Deal

SACRAMENTO, California - A top California lawmaker said on Friday the state's leaders had reached a final agreement on closing a $19.1 billion deficit to balance the state budget, ending a record stalemate over a spending plan.

BofA Suspends Foreclosures In 23 States

NEW YORK - Amid growing public anger over U.S. home seizures, Bank of America Corp has suspended some of its foreclosures and JPMorgan Chase & Co has come under investigation in California and Connecticut.