Friday, March 12, 2010

News From A.P.

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Politics Index From The Associated Press

10 MINUTE UPDATE

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Treasury Department has received $6.56 million from the sale of warrants it held from Texas Capital Bancshares Inc. as part of the support it provided the bank during the financial crisis.

Retail Sales Rise 0.3 Percent in February

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Retail sales posted a surprising increase in February as consumers did not let major snowstorms stop them from storming the malls. The advance, the biggest since November, provided hope that the recovery from the Great Recession is gaining momentum.

Reid's Wife, Daughter Injured in Highway Accident

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's wife was hospitalized with a broken back and neck Thursday after a tractor-trailer truck slammed into the back of the minivan in which she and their daughter were riding on an interstate highway in suburban Virginia, officials said.

Obama to Meet With Top War, Science Advisers

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama has a busy day of meetings planned, but no public appearances are on the agenda.

'Little Billy's Letters' at a Glance

Excerpts from the responses by prominent figures to letters from ''Little Billy,'' the grade-school alter ego of prankster Bill Geerhart, appearing in the book ''Little Billy's Letters'':.

'Little Billy' Punks VIPs in Wide-Eyed Letters

WASHINGTON (AP) -- ''Little Billy'' was in a jam: His parents blamed him for dismembering his sister's doll, but the dog did it. How could he clear his name?.

Need for Results Drives Obama's Domestic Juggle

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama's intense juggling of domestic issues reflects all the realities he faces: a vast agenda, a smaller window for results this year and a need to keep promises to constituencies that will have a huge say in the fall congressional elections.

Senators Question $1 Million Pay for Charity's CEO

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A group of Republican senators is questioning high salaries and expensive travel bills for executives at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, raising issues that could jeopardize millions in federal funding for the national charity.

Analysis: Will Jerusalem Spat Undo Peacemaking?

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Vice President Joe Biden's trip to Israel and the West Bank was designed to underscore the Obama administration's commitment to support Israeli security as it approaches indirect negotiations with the Palestinians.

Obama Says He's Committed to Immigration Overhaul

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama on Thursday assured immigration advocates frustrated by the wait for a promised overhaul of U.S. immigration laws that he remains committed to fixing a system he has said is broken. What remains unclear is whether Congress will send him a bill this year.

GOP Loses Bid for Ethics Probe of Dem Leaders

WASHINGTON (AP) -- House Democrats on Thursday stopped a Republican bid to force an investigation of Democratic leaders aimed at determining whether they covered up sexual harassment allegations against ex-Rep. Eric Massa.

Democrats Pare Differences Over Health Overhaul

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Top Democrats say they are resolving disputes over President Barack Obama's health overhaul plan, but they face decisions on subsidizing coverage and are still hunting votes to push the vast package through Congress.

Pa. GOP Picks Burns as Nominee for Murtha's Seat

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Republicans in Pennsylvania have nominated a political newcomer to fill the congressional seat of the late Rep. John Murtha.

AP Source: Obama Wants Yellen as Fed Vice Chair

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama intends to nominate Janet Yellen, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, to take over as vice chairman of the Federal Reserve, a person familiar with the selection said Friday.

Pa. GOP Picks Burns as Nominee for Murtha's Seat

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Republicans in Pennsylvania have nominated a political newcomer to fill the congressional seat of the late Rep. John Murtha.

Ginsburg Endorses End to Local Judicial Elections

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is endorsing an end to the election of judges at the state and local levels.

US Criticizes China's Domestic, Economic Policies

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Obama administration accused China on Thursday of abusing its citizens' rights and maintaining currency policies that cost millions of U.S. jobs, a double-barrel attack that comes amid a growing willingness to confront and even antagonize the Asian power.

AP Sources: Senate Run Likely for Ex-War Spokesman

NEW YORK (AP) -- A former spokesman for the U.S.-led military incursion in Iraq under President George W. Bush is likely to enter the Republican primary to challenge Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.

GOP Gets Big Help Race for Patrick Kennedy Seat

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- The Republican candidate running to replace Rep. Patrick Kennedy in Congress says he's getting help in his bid from several former GOP presidential candidates.

Product Recalls: Coil Nailers, Voltage Detectors

The following recalls have been announced:.

Obama Says He's Committed to Immigration Overhaul

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama on Thursday assured immigration advocates frustrated by the wait for a promised overhaul of U.S. immigration laws that he remains committed to fixing a system he has said is broken. What remains unclear is whether Congress will send him a bill this year.

Salmonella Product Recall News

The following products are being recalled because they could be contaminated with salmonella, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children and others with weakened immune systems:.

Obama Gives Away $1.4M Nobel Prize

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama plans to donate the $1.4 million from his Nobel Peace Prize to helping students, veterans' families and survivors of Haiti's earthquake, among others, drawing attention to organizations he said ''do extraordinary work.''.

Senate Seeks to Boost Regional Airline Safety

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Senate is pushing to strengthen pilot training and hiring requirements in an effort to improve the safety of regional airlines, a problem exposed by an air crash last year that killed 50 people.

Pentagon: F-35 Fighter Jet Cost Doubles

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Pentagon said Thursday the cost to build its next-generation fighter jet has doubled to as much as $113 million per plane since 2001.

Pair to Head DOJ Unit Probing Public Corruption

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The troubled Justice Department unit that investigates corruption of public officials is getting new leadership amid a criminal probe into how it handled evidence in the prosecution of Republican Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska.

House GOP Adopts Earmark Moratorium

WASHINGTON (AP) -- In an election-year appeal to voters frustrated with Washington, House Republicans promised Thursday not to stuff any of this year's spending bills with pet projects for their districts.

Rep. Patrick Kennedy Rips Media in Afghan Speech

WASHINGTON (AP) -- U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy is blasting the news media as ''despicable,'' accusing it of ignoring the war in Afghanistan even as troops continue to die there.

Dems Look to Health Vote Without Abortion Foes

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A top House Democrat says the leadership may be able to pass President Barack Obama's health care overhaul without resolving a dispute over abortion.

GOP Loses Bid for Ethics Probe of Dem Leaders

WASHINGTON (AP) -- House Democrats on Thursday stopped a Republican bid to force an investigation of Democratic leaders aimed at determining whether they covered up sexual harassment allegations against ex-Rep. Eric Massa.