AP
WASHINGTON - Five young American Muslims captured in Pakistan are under investigation for possible links to terrorism after their families found a disturbing farewell video the missing men left behind showing scenes of war and casualties and saying Muslims must be defended. Full Story »
AP
WASHINGTON - Health care overhaul now looks like it really will happen, with a compromise coming together in the Senate to give uninsured Americans options they've never had before. But it won't be a free ride. Full Story »
AP
WASHINGTON - The rapid U.S. build up in the Afghan war will include more terrorist-hunting forces to chase down militants deemed too extreme to change sides, a top U.S. general revealed on Wednesday. Full Story »
WASHINGTON - The House voted Wednesday to extend $31 billion in popular tax breaks, including an income tax deduction for sales and property taxes, to be financed with a tax increase on investment fund managers and a crackdown on international tax cheats. Full Story »
AP
WASHINGTON - The House on Wednesday night began debating legislation that would overhaul Wall Street regulations, overcoming a last-minute revolt by moderate Democrats that had stalled one of the Obama administration's priorities. Full Story »
AP
WASHINGTON - A California congressman is dropping his effort to honor Tiger Woods with a Congressional Gold Medal. Full Story »
AP
WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama as well as Democratic liberals and moderates all found something to like Wednesday in an emerging compromise to expand the role of government in the nation's health care system, raising hopes inside the party that passage of overhaul legislation might be within reach after a struggle lasting decades. Full Story »
AP
WASHINGTON - Congress authorized subpoenas Wednesday for the White House gate-crashers to testify about how the couple got into a state dinner without an invitation. Full Story »
WASHINGTON - The Pell Grant program for needy college students is facing a massive shortfall as the country's bleak job market drives people back to school. Full Story »
AP
WASHINGTON - Despite Republican opposition on Capitol Hill, President Barack Obama said Wednesday that he's still hoping for bipartisan support for his efforts to use financial bailout money to help small businesses and bring down double-digit unemployment. Full Story »
WASHINGTON - Five Transportation Security Administration employees have been placed on administrative leave since it was discovered that sensitive guidelines about airport passenger screening were posted on the Internet. Full Story »
AP
WASHINGTON - Dismissing complaints from some members that Congress had more pressing matters, a House subcommittee approved legislation Wednesday aimed at forcing college football to switch to a playoff system to determine its national champion. Full Story »
AP
WASHINGTON - Christmas at the White House isn't for sissies. Full Story »
KABUL - U.S. commanders in Afghanistan are reporting a sudden surge in Afghan army recruits this month, a much-needed boost after Afghan President Hamid Karzai said his security forces may not be able to take over from U.S. troops for up to five more years. Full Story »
AP
WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama is accepting the world's best-known peace award as a wartime president, an incongruity that he will directly speak to when he receives the Nobel Peace Prize on Thursday, White House officials say. Full Story »
Reuters
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama will frame the war in Afghanistan as part of a wider pursuit for peace when he accepts the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo on Thursday, a U.S. official said. Full Story »
AP
CHICAGO - President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama talked holiday gifts when Oprah Winfrey went to the White House to film a Christmas special. Full Story »
In a bold but risky year-end strategy, Democrats are preparing to raise the federal debt ceiling by as much as $1.8 trillion before New Year’s rather than have to face the issue again prior to the 2010 elections. Full Story »
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