Comcast to buy controlling stake in NBC Universal
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Comcast Corp. announced Thursday it plans to buy a majority stake in NBC Universal for $13.75 billion, giving the nation's largest cable TV operator control of the Peacock network, an array of cable channels and a major movie studio. Although the deal could mean that movies could reach cable more quickly after showing in theaters, and that TV shows could appear faster on cell phones and other devices, it was already raising concerns that Comcast would wield too much power over entertainment.
Congress appears poised to back Obama war plan
WASHINGTON (AP) — Despite misgivings, members of Congress seem poised to back President Barack Obama's plan to send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan after getting assurances the commitment isn't open-ended. The surge-and-exit strategy that Obama announced Tuesday night marks the largest expansion of the war since it began eight years ago. Critics conceded that Obama will have little trouble early next year getting Congress to provide an added $30 billion or $40 billion to carry it out.
Obama rejoining economic debate with jobs summit
WASHINGTON (AP) — Under pressure from Republicans and an impatient public to fix the sputtering economic recovery, President Barack Obama is refocusing on this politically potent issue by talking job creation with business and labor leaders at the White House. The White House has lacked a unified economic message in recent weeks, with its attention focused instead on health care and Obama's three-month review of the Afghanistan war. With unemployment in double digits for the first time in decades, Democratic lawmakers are suggesting a second economic stimulus aimed directly at job creation may be needed.
Putin: Will consider running for president in 2012
MOSCOW (AP) — In an electric four-hour solo performance on live television, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said he will think about whether to reclaim the presidency — one of the strongest signals yet that he may run again for Russia's top office in 2012. Putin made the statement during a question-and-answer show on television and radio highlighted his dominance of Russia's political scene.
Early retail reports suggest sluggish November
NEW YORK (AP) — Retailers are reporting sluggish sales results for November as a modestly positive start to the holiday shopping season wasn't strong enough to offset weak spending the rest of the month. According to early results Thursday, stores including teen merchant Wet Seal Inc., Children's Place Retail Stores Inc. and discounter Fred's Inc. are reporting sales declines.
15 dead after suicide bomber attack in Somalia
MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — A male suicide bomber dressed as a woman attacked a university graduation ceremony Thursday, killing at least 15 people, including three Cabinet ministers and three journalists. The attack raised new questions about the ability of Somalia's weak government to control even the small area of the capital it holds. African troops protecting the government wage near daily battles with Islamic militants who hold much of central and southern Somalia.
Tiger Woods: 'Personal failings' let family down
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) — Tiger Woods disclosed his "personal failings" in a 317-word statement on his Web site that did not delve into details, except to say that he "let my family down" and regrets it "with all of my heart." Still to be determined is whether this closes a shocking saga involving one of the biggest names in sport.
WH gatecrashers might be subpoenaed to testify
WASHINGTON (AP) — This time they're invited, but they don't want to come. Congress wants to talk to the husband and wife who slipped through security into last week's state dinner at the White House. But on the eve of Thursday's hearing by the House Homeland Security Committee about how they did it, Tareq and Michaele Salahi declined to show up for questions.
Poll finds sexting common among young people
WASHINGTON (AP) — Think your kid is not "sexting"? Think again. Sexting — sharing sexually explicit photos, videos and chat by cell phone or online — is fairly commonplace among young people, despite sometimes grim consequences for those who do it. More than a quarter of young people have been involved in sexting in some form, an Associated Press-MTV poll found.
Swift talks Grammy joy; Beyonce top nominee
Taylor Swift has won just about every top music award there is this year, but the possibility of winning not just one, but eight Grammys, had the 19-year-old screaming for joy as the nominations were announced. "I started freaking out and jumping up and down," Swift said in a telephone interview Wednesday night after learning of her nominations, which included album of the year for her sophomore CD "Fearless" and mentions for song and record of the year.
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