Senate report: Bin Laden was 'within our grasp'
WASHINGTON (AP) — Osama bin Laden was unquestionably within reach of U.S. troops in the mountains of Tora Bora when American military leaders made the crucial and costly decision not to pursue the terrorist leader with massive force, a Senate report says. The report asserts that the failure to kill or capture bin Laden at his most vulnerable in December 2001 has had lasting consequences beyond the fate of one man. Bin Laden's escape laid the foundation for today's reinvigorated Afghan insurgency and inflamed the internal strife now endangering Pakistan, it says.
Whitman tries courting women in Calif. gov race
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — As Meg Whitman has been introducing herself to California voters, she retells a line that usually generates a chuckle: "The next governor of California needs to know exactly what SHE believes." The statement conveys the kind of confidence the former eBay executive displayed in her trailblazing role as the female head of a Fortune 500 company. It also is a reminder of the pioneering role she would play if she is elected as the first woman to California's highest office.
News exec: Dinner crashers shopping interview
NEW YORK (AP) — A television executive says the couple who crashed President Barack Obama's first state dinner is offering to talk to broadcast networks about it for a payment of hundreds of thousands of dollars. The executive, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the network does not publicly discuss bookings, told The Associated Press that representatives for Michaele and Tareq Salahi contacted networks to urge them to "get their bids in" for an interview. The executive says the Virginia couple was looking for a payment in the mid-six figures range.
Administration plans new efforts on foreclosures
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration, battling a foreclosure crisis that shows no signs of relenting, will step up pressure on mortgage companies to do more to help people remain in their homes, officials said Saturday. The administration will announce its expanded program on Monday, Treasury spokeswoman Meg Reilly said.
Saddam was telling truth in missing Gulf War pilot
WASHINGTON (AP) — Saddam Hussein was telling the truth, this time. The United States just didn't believe him. So it took the most powerful military in the world 18 years to find the remains of the only U.S. Navy pilot shot down in an aerial battle in the 1991 Gulf War.
Biden to Iraq leaders: Settle election law dispute
WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Joe Biden is encouraging Iraq's leaders to resolve differences and agree to legislation allowing a national vote to take place next year. Biden spoke with Iraqi leaders on Saturday.
Obama at hoops game to see brother-in-law's team
WASHINGTON (AP) — It was a family affair for President Barack Obama at the Oregon State-George Washington University basketball game Saturday. Brother-in-law Craig Robinson is the Oregon State coach. And the president brought along first lady Michelle Obama, daughters Malia and Sasha, and mother-in-law Marian Robinson.
Understanding the pros and cons of health overhaul
WASHINGTON (AP) — Maybe you've been reading the health care bill in your spare time. Then perhaps you can answer this question: If Congress makes history and puts a bill on President Barack Obama's desk by Christmas, how long before the uninsured get medical coverage?
Big challenge for Obama: retain Hispanic support
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Barack Obama has erased George W. Bush's inroads among Hispanics, with these influential voters consistently giving the president exceptionally strong marks and the White House employing an aggressive strategy to keep it that way. Obama's challenge is to ensure that Hispanics pledge allegiance to the Democratic Party for the 2010 elections and keep supporting him through his own likely 2012 re-election race while he tackles the divisive issue of repairing the nation's patchy immigration system.
Military divorces increasing from war stress
WASHINGTON (AP) — The divorce rate in the armed forces continues to edge higher, despite efforts by the military to help struggling couples. There were an estimated 27,312 divorces among roughly 765,000 married members of the active-duty Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps in the 12 months that ended Sept. 30, the Pentagon reported Friday.
