Black smoke again: Cardinals don't agree on pope
Written by NICOLE WINFIELD,Associated Press
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Cardinals remained divided over who should be pope on Wednesday after three rounds of voting, an indication of disagreements about the direction of the Catholic church following the upheaval unleashed by Pope Benedict XVI's surprise resignation.
House to vote on bill preventing welfare waivers
Written by STEPHEN OHLEMACHER,Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House is taking up a politically charged bill that would block the Obama administration from waiving any work requirements in the 1996 welfare reform law.
FAA approves Boeing plan to fix 787's batteries
Written by JOAN LOWY,Associated Press JOSHUA FREED,Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — A Boeing plan to redesign the 787 Dreamliner's fire-plagued lithium-ion batteries won approval Tuesday from the Federal Aviation Administration, moving the cutting-edge planes a step closer to flying passengers again.
US stocks waver after seven straight gains
Written by STEVE ROTHWELL,AP Markets Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — Stock indexes wavered between small gains and losses on Wall Street Tuesday following a seven-day rally.
Gov't finances are improving over the short term
Written by TOM RAUM,Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — The annual federal budget deficit is sinking out of $1 trillion-plus nosebleed territory where it has hovered for the past four years. Government borrowing has dropped to roughly 25 cents for every dollar it spends, down from over 40 cents-per-dollar spent a few years ago. Tax receipts are rising and spending is moderating.
US Officials: North Korea poses serious threat
Written by DONNA CASSATA,Associated Press LARA JAKES,Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — An unpredictable North Korea, with its nuclear weapons and missile programs, stands as a serious threat to the United States and East Asia nations, the director of National Intelligence warned Tuesday in a sober assessment of worldwide threats.
College tuition stipends for US airmen suspended
Written by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The U.S. Air Force has joined other military branches in suspending tuition assistance that thousands of active-duty airmen rely on to pay for college classes.
AP Exclusive: Applying for health care not easy
Written by RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR,Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Applying for benefits under President Barack Obama's health care overhaul could be as daunting as doing your taxes.