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Obama could lock in Afghanistan decision Monday
The White House said President Barack Obama could use an unusual evening war council session Monday to lock in his long-awaited decision on whether to commit tens of thousands of new U.S. forces to the stalemated war in Afghanistan.
Govt issues record 2.1M recall for dropside cribs
More than 2.1 million drop-side cribs by Stork Craft Manufacturing are being recalled, the biggest crib recall in U.S history, following reports of four infant suffocations.
AP-GfK Poll: Debt turning shoppers into Scrooges
A lot more Americans are feeling stressed out by debt this holiday season, raising the glum likelihood they'll behave like Scrooge rather than Santa.
Schumer says failure not an option on health care
Failure is not an option on health care, a leading Democratic senator said Monday, even as Republicans turned up the heat on moderates who hold the fate of the legislation in their hands.
Obama takes his leave a bit early, then returns
President Barack Obama is getting used to leaving events before they end — even when he doesn't have to.
Charges unsealed in missing Somalis terror probe
Promising both "true brotherhood" and "fun," several Somali men convinced fellow immigrants in Minneapolis to return to their East African homeland and take up arms with a terrorist group, according to federal charges unsealed Monday against eight individuals.
Trying last-ditch lung bypass for worst swine flu
A technology originally developed for premature babies may be helping to save some of the sickest swine flu patients by rerouting their blood so their lungs can rest.
Indian PM says Pakistan must reject terror
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Monday that the world must press Pakistan to stop supporting terrorists who continue to target India.
Zimbabwe women, receiving rights award, speak out
President Barack Obama praised representatives of a women's organization whose members have been beaten by Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe's police force and face court trials for challenging Zimbabwe's government. He said their grassroots efforts could improve the African country.
Obama calls security meeting on Afghanistan
President Barack Obama called his war council together Monday as he moves toward a decision on whether to add more U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

Obama meets with advisers on Afghanistan
President Barack Obama began a meeting on Monday night with top advisers on Afghanistan as he closes in on a decision about whether to send thousands more U.S. troops to confront a growing insurgency.
South Carolina governor faces ethics allegations
Republican South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford, a conservative seen as a presidential contender before a sex scandal wrecked his reputation, faces 37 possible ethics violations, the state ethics commission said on Monday.
In U.S., Indian PM touts nuclear deal, infrastructure
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Monday completing a 2005 U.S.-India nuclear cooperation deal would boost investment opportunities in his country, a hopeful sign for U.S. companies eyeing India's potential $150 billion market in power plants.
Obama administration urged to join Mine Ban Treaty
U.S. acceptance of a treaty banning landmines is "long, long overdue" and President Barack Obama should use a 10-year review this weekend to announce plans to join the accord, anti-landmines campaigners said on Monday.
Obama honors Mugabe foes for defying a "dictator"
U.S. President Barack Obama honored a group of women Monday who have confronted Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and said they had defied a dictator.
Obama says boosting jobs is a top priority
President Barack Obama assured Americans on Monday that boosting jobs was a top priority, but gave no specifics about how to meet this goal that some economists say warrants more government spending.
U.S. lawmakers, Chinese exiles press Obama on rights
U.S. lawmakers and exiled Chinese dissidents urged President Barack Obama on Monday to intervene with China's government on behalf of Jiang Tianyong, a rights activist who tried to see Obama while he was in China last week.
U.S., Russia study ways to extend START verification
U.S. negotiators working to conclude a new strategic arms treaty with Russia are discussing ways to continue nuclear weapons monitoring until the new accord can be ratified, a State Department spokesman said on Monday.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce urges Obama action on trade
President Barack Obama should look abroad for ways to boost jobs at home, the biggest U.S. business lobby group said on Monday, urging the administration to advance three pending free trade agreements.
Healthcare reform faces challenges in Senate
President Barack Obama's U.S. healthcare overhaul plan has cleared an important Senate hurdle but lawmakers warned on Sunday of challenges ahead in winning support for passage, even among Obama's own Democrats.

Katie Couric Dancing: Party Pics Of Anchor Letting Loose (PHOTOS)
Photos of Katie Couric reportedly celebrating her September 2006 debut as anchor of the CBS Evening News have made their way onto Facebook, and the pictures show Couric letting loose on the dance flor.
"Curb Your Enthusiasm" Finale Includes New "Seinfeld" Episode (VIDEO)
SPOILERS AHEAD*: It took over a decade, but "Seinfeld"-less fans finally received a new episode. Sort of. This season's "Curb Your Enthusiasm" followed Larry as he put together a reunion in an attemp win back Cheryl, and last night the results were finally unveiled.
Carla Bruni Nude PHOTO Withdrawn From Auction After Low Bids (NSFW)
A nude photograph of Carla Bruni was pulled from the auction block in Paris after receiving less than the undisclosed reserve price. A copy of the same photo by Michel Comte sold for $91,000 at Chrisie's auction house in New York in April 2008.
Sarah Palin: Fooling None Of The People All Of The Time
Last fall it seemed as if Sarah Palin would light a fuse and cause a social explosion. Behind her beauty-pageant smile lurked the shadow, the dark side of human nature. Her tactic of appealing to theworst impulses of the electorate had a long history in the Republican Party.
Kate Hudson's Near NSFW Slip At AMAs (PHOTOS)
"Nine" costars Kate Hudson and Nicole Kidman introduced the Black Eyed Peas at Sunday night's American Music Awards, as Peas' singer Fergie is also in the film. During the intro, Hudson almost had awardrobe malfunction when she leaned forward and her metallic dress went with her.
Tea Party Patriots Attack Family Who Lost Daughter And Grandchild (VIDEO)
A group called the Chicago Tea Party Patriots publicly heckled a grieving family and suggested that the couple fabricated their tragic story. At a town hall held by Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-Ill.) on Nov. 14,, Dan and Midge Hough spoke about how they believed the death of their daughter-in-law and her ...
The 10 Funniest Missing Pet Signs Of All Time (PHOTOS)
It's always sad when your pet runs off, especially if he has giant balls or is a rodent masquerading as a cat. While we hope all the pets found their ways to safe homes, we're pretty sure these peopl shouldn't be in charge of anything that has a pulse and completely understand why they ran away.
Emanuel Ungaro Chairman Wants Lohan OUT
Now, Page Six has learned that Ungaro's chairman, Asim Abdullah, is locked in a fierce battle with Moufarrige over Lohan's future role at the company. "Asim wants her out now," a fashion insider whohas seen e-mails between the two executives tells Page Six.
Rom Houben, Man In Coma For 23 Years, Was Fully Conscious, Mom Says
BRUSSELS A man who emerged from what doctors thought was a vegetative state says he was fully conscious for 23 years but could not respond because he was paralyzed, his mother said Monday. Rom Houen, 46, had a car crash in 1983 and doctors thought he had sunk into a coma.
Adam Lambert FALLS At AMAs, Simulates Sex, Kisses Band Member, Flips Bird (PHOTOS)
He's not on "Idol" anymore! Adam Lambert, last season's runner up, performed a raunchy performance at the American Music Awards Sunday night, interrupted by a quick tumble on stage. Lambert alternately had a dancer on a leash, had a dancer's head grinding against his crotch simulating oral sex, a...

The Monday Fix: Is Palin running for president in 2012?
With so much attention being paid to Sarah Palin's book tour, the Fix decided to put our political nerd cap on -- okay, fine, we always wear it -- and go inside the numbers of where she's stopping an why.
Support for legalizing marijuana gaining ground rapidly
The same day they rejected a gay marriage ballot measure, residents of Maine voted overwhelmingly to allow the sale of medical marijuana over the counter at state-licensed dispensaries.
Sunday Take: Divided public complicates Afghanistan decision
As President Obama nears a decision on Afghanistan, he faces a partisan divide in public opinion that is pulling him in opposite directions. His recent statements about the decision suggest that he i trying to accommodate the views with a war strategy that can be successful and contained.
Burris reproved by Senate ethics panel
Sen. Roland W. Burris (D-Ill.) has been admonished by the Senate ethics committee for his public comments about his controversial appointment to the seat previously held by President Obama.
Prison holds promise for job-strapped town
CHICAGO -- On the edge of a cornfield 150 miles from Chicago lies a prison, all but vacant, that could become the new Guantanamo.
Storm of criticism said to buoy Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner
Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner has been a lightning rod for the Obama administration even longer than he's formally held his position. This week, the storm clouds returned.
Business Digest
CREDIT J.P. Morgan Chase said it is dropping a clause from its credit-card contracts that required disputes with customers to be handled through binding arbitration, a move that could open the door t consumers filing class-action and other lawsuits.
White House backs off cancer test guidelines
A top federal health official said Wednesday that the controversial new guidelines for breast cancer screening do not represent government policy, as the Obama administration sought to keep the debat over mammograms from undermining the prospects for health-care reform.
Sen. Byrd breaks congressional longevity record
In his almost six decades on Capitol Hill, Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.) has broken nearly every legislative record that anyone bothers to count. On Wednesday, two days shy of his 92nd birthday, Byrdreached yet another milestone: He became the longest-serving member of Congress.
Judge rules Jefferson can remain free while he appeals conviction
Former congressman William J. Jefferson will not have to begin serving his 13-year prison term until his appeal of his conviction on corruption charges is resolved, a federal judge ruled Wednesday.

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What Karadzic Did to Bosnia
Former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic is on trial, but whatever the outcome, the pain of war will remain.
The Big Freak Out
The downfall of the brains behind the Freakonomics phenomenon.
Pacific Angst
As Obama heads to Asia, some worry that American influence in the region is diminishing -- but most nations still prefer the United States as a strategic ally over rival neighbors.
No One Left to Blame
Why Radovan Karadzic's trial won't heal Bosnia's divisions.
No Good Choices
You might think Afghanistan's fate lies in U.S. President Barack Obama's forthcoming strategic decision on troop levels. But the picture is bleak, no matter what.
Destroying al Qaeda Is Not an Option (Yet)
If the world's most notorious network goes down, terrorism will get a whole lot messier.
Calm Down, Chávez
War-mongering Venezuela is stirring up trouble down south again. But will he really go to war with Colombia this time around?
Briefing Book: Iran's Sanctions
What could sanctions against Iran really do?
Europe After the Berlin Wall: 4 Surprises
For Europe the effects of the Berlin Wall's collapse were almost as surprising as the fall itself. Here are 4 of the unexpected consequences that the end of the Soviet Union had for Europe -- ones evn the experts didn't see coming.
Please Send More Than Troops
If the window closes to fix Afghanistan's government, more boots on the ground won't matter.

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21 lawmaking days left for House
It will put in a couple of five-day work weeks as Dems rush to finish their agenda before Christmas.
Jenny Sanford endorses in gov race
Wife of embattled S.C. governor endorses GOP state Rep. Nikki Haley to replace her term-limited husband.
U.N. chief pushes Senate on climate
U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon urges the Senate to move forward on climate change legislation.
'No easy way out' for Dems on abortion
Should Dems support a bill that imposes limits on abortion access or demand one that might fund it with taxpayer money?
Health vote shatters abortion cease-fire
Should Dems support a bill that imposes limits on abortion access or demand one that might fund it with taxpayer money?
Health vote shatters abortion ceasefire
Should Dems support a bill that imposes limits on abortion access or demand one that might fund it with taxpayer money?
We shouldn't be attacking our own
In an Ideas piece, Whitman takes RNC Chairman Michael Steele to task for his handling of the GOP.
Emanuel keeps call for settlement halt
W.H. Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel stands behinds the call for Israel to freeze settlement activity.
Health vote pits Democrat vs. Democrat
Dems who voted against the health care bill are facing serious blowback from liberals.
Deal makers pushed limits
Last-minute deals on the House health reform vote didn't escape notice.