U.S. National - Reuters

NEW YORK (Reuters) - If the men accused of plotting the September 11 attacks wonder what conditions they might face when they are moved to New York from Guantanamo Bay for trial, they can expect solitary confinement, 23-hour-a-day lockdowns, constant video surveillance and almost no visitors. Full Story »

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives approved a procedural rule on Wednesday that cleared the way for floor debate to begin on legislation that would give the government broad new powers over large financial firms and tighten bank and capital market regulation. Full Story »

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Efforts in the U.S. Senate to move away from a government-run insurance option may help win over critical votes but failed to bring around one major bloc -- big business. Full Story »

TRENTON, New Jersey (Reuters) - The legalization of same-sex marriage faces a critical test in New Jersey, where advocates on each side of the controversial issue argue will shape the fate of gay-marriage battles across the nation. Full Story »

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Five American men were arrested in Pakistan this week and are being investigated for alleged links to extremist groups, the Pakistani embassy in Washington said on Wednesday. Full Story »

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A former senior IBM Corp executive denied being involved in a sprawling hedge fund insider trading case and asked a court on Wednesday to dismiss civil charges by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Full Story »

PASADENA, California (Reuters) - A U.S. appeals court on Wednesday suspended a lower court order that transferred ownership of the Bratz doll franchise to Mattel Inc until it rules in the case, and ordered Mattel and rival toymaker MGA Entertainment into mediation. Full Story »

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Washington state Governor Christine Gregoire submitted a state budget plan on Wednesday that would close a $2.6 billion deficit but that she described as "unjust" because of the spending cuts it would impose. Full Story »

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Blowing snow and freezing temperatures slowed grain and livestock movement, shut some processing plants, and halted the protracted corn harvest in portions of the U.S. Midwest and Plains on Wednesday. Full Story »

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Men outnumber women on top U.S. boards of directors six to one, a ratio unchanged in 2009 from the year before, said research released on Wednesday. Full Story »