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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.
Charges unsealed in missing Somalis terror probe
Federal prosecutors unsealed new terror-related charges against eight people on Monday as part of the long-running investigation of young men who left the United States to fight in Somalia.
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 US, India to sign climate memo
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Monday that Indian and U.S. officials will sign a memorandum intended to improve cooperation on energy security, clean energy and climate change.
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: US economy has 'core strengths'
President Barack Obama said Monday the nation's economy is in good shape for the long term thanks to "core strengths" such as its universities, its innovation and a dynamic workforce.
More anti-gay, religious-motivated crimes reported
Reports of hate crimes against gays and religious groups increased sharply in 2008, according to FBI data released Monday.
For Reid, Dodd, clout on big issues cuts both ways
Two Senate leaders trying to steer a pair of President Barack Obama's high-stakes initiatives through Congress are being dogged by re-election worries, and it's not clear whether their legislative prominence will help or hurt them.
Obama to honor young inventors at science fair
Hey kids, grab those beakers and Petri dishes, the White House is going to hold a science fair.

Obama to meet advisers on Afghanistan
President Barack Obama planned a ninth session with top advisers on Afghanistan on Monday as he neared a decision on whether to send troops and fought Republican charges that he is taking too long to make up his mind.
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., India 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 says must do more to ease unemployment
President Barack Obama said on Monday his top priority was to tackle high U.S. unemployment, and stressed that although the economy was growing again, many Americans were still suffering.
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.
Obama asks for patience on economy
President Barack Obama on Saturday urged Americans to show patience over the economy and argued that his just-concluded Asia trip was critical for U.S. exports, countering criticism he had returned empty-handed.
New Yorkers clamor for change in Albany: poll
New Yorkers struggling to make ends meet during the recession are clamoring for change in how lawmakers in the state capital Albany conduct business, according to a survey released on Monday.

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...
American Music Awards Best-Dressed 2009: See Who Stole The Show (PHOTOS, POLL)
On the red carpet for Sunday's American Music Awards, some stars dazzled, and some (quite literally) fell flat. (See J. Lo FALL and Adam Lambert FALL.) Check out our best-dressed picks below. Who acd it and who should have been left off the list? And who did we miss? Weigh in below.
We Must Replay the Match
No, American friends, France is not a country of "cheaters." And the affair of Thierry Henry's hand, the scandal of the France-Ireland game that we won, but should have lost, has outraged many in Pars.
Sealed With A Kiss: Dems Unite To Beat GOP Filibuster
Harry Reid sealed the biggest legislative victory of his career Saturday night with a kiss. And then a hug. Emotionally reserved doesn't begin to describe the Senate majority leader, a Democrat facig reelection in Nevada.
State Dinner Style! See What Former First Ladies Have Worn (PHOTOS, POLL)
It's like the inauguration all over again! Everyone is wondering what (and who?) Michelle Obama will wear when she and her husband welcome Prime Minister Singh for Tuesday night's state dinner. From Jackie Kennedy to Laura Bush (and a lot of Hillary Clinton in between), here's a look back at some o...
US Debt A 'Phantom Menace,' Krugman Argues
The United States is borrowing trillions of dollars under terms that seem "too good to be true" just as a "spending explosion" on benefits programs like Medicare and Social Security is set to begin, ccording to the New York Times.
iTablet Beta Tester Breaks Embargo
Recently I was given just 24 hours to explore a first production build of the Apple iTablet -- and here are my first impressions and discoveries. First, it's more like an iPhone than a MacBook. The oerating system depends on gestures, and expands the vocabulary.
Heidi Klum Debuts HOT Post-Baby Body (PHOTOS)
Heidi Klum stepped out on the runway at the Victoria's Secret fashion show Thursday night, just five weeks after giving birth to daughter Lou Samuel. This isn't her first post-baby public appearanc.
Nathalie Blanchard Loses Health Benefits Over Facebook Photo
BROMONT, Quebec A Canadian woman on long-term sick leave for depression says she lost her benefits because her insurance agent found photos of her on Facebook in which she appeared to be having fun Nathalie Blanchard has been on leave from her job at IBM in Bromont, Quebec, for the last year.

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Hasan had intensified contact with radical Yemeni American cleric
In the months before the deadly shootings at Fort Hood, Army Maj. Nidal M. Hasan intensified his communications with a radical Yemeni American cleric and began to discuss surreptitious financial tranfers and other steps that could translate his thoughts into action, according to two sources brie.
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U.S. to help China develop inventory of its greenhouse gas emissions
The United States and China have agreed to cooperate on developing an inventory of China's greenhouse gas emissions, the Environmental Protection Agency announced Wednesday, an initiative that appear be a response to criticism of Beijing's data collection.
Congressional Black Caucus celebrates Jesse Jackson's first presidential run
Members of the Congressional Black Caucus paid tribute to the 25th anniversary of the Rev. Jesse Jackson's first run for president Wednesday morning on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.
New mammogram guidelines cause another political uproar
In 1997, a federal committee of medical experts recommended against routine mammograms for women in their 40s, sparking a political uproar that led to congressional hearings and a unanimous Senate voe challenging the findings.
Analysis: Outrage over stimulus jobs misguided
Another day, another flurry of outrage over the jobs numbers claimed by the government for the administration's $787 billion economic stimulus program.
In Senate vote, signs of shift on Guantanamo Bay detainees
The Senate on Tuesday rejected an attempt to bar using funds from a defense spending bill to build or modify prisons in the United States to hold detainees from Guantanamo Bay, a move that suggested ongressional Democrats may be lining up behind President Obama's vision for closing the military .

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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.