Health Care Bills Raise Costs: Budget Umpire

U.S. - Democrats' health care bills won't meet President Barack Obama's goal of slowing the ruinous rise of medical costs, Congress' budget umpire warned on Thursday, giving weight to critics who say the legislation could break the bank. The sobering assessment from Congressional Budget Office Director Douglas Elmendorf came as House Democrats pushed to pass a partisan bill through committees, while in the Senate a small group of lawmakers continued to seek a deal that could win support from both political parties.

Republican Skeptics Praise Sonia Sotomayor

U.S. - Sonia Sotomayor drew praise from GOP skeptics as well as from Democratic supporters Thursday on her last day of Senate questioning that's expected to lead to her confirmation.  Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., described Sotomayor's judicial record as "generally in the mainstream." He also said he thought she would keep an open mind on gun rights and proclaimed her "not an activist."

Mexican Drug War: Traffickers Seek Revenge

Mexico - It was the boldest, most widespread coordinated offensive ever mounted by drug traffickers against the Mexican government. Within minutes of the weekend arrest of the La Familia drug cartel's operations chief, the gang launched deadly attacks in President Felipe Calderon's home state. In the worst, 12 federal agents were killed execution-style, their tortured bodies piled along a roadside as a warning for all to see.

NAACP: Obama Tells Government, Communities To Cooperate

U.S. - Obama is telling the nation's oldest civil rights organization that government, families and neighborhoods must work together to improve their communities. Obama also planned to urge young people to aspire to surpass their role models and resist the lure of mediocrity during a speech Thursday to the NAACP. White House aides said the president did not intend to introduce new programs or policy, instead striking an inspirational tone on the 100th birthday of the civil rights groups.

Obama To Address NAACP

U.S. - President Barack Obama is telling the nation's oldest civil rights organization that government, families and neighborhoods must work together to improve their communities. Obama also planned to urge young people to aspire to surpass their role models and resist the lure of mediocrity during a speech Thursday to the NAACP. White House aides said the president did not intend to introduce new programs or policy, instead striking an inspirational tone on the 100th birthday of the civil rights groups.

U.S. Health Care Bill: House Democrats Ready To Vote

U.S. - House Democrats are preparing to advance legislation that would deliver on President Barack Obama's promise to remake the nation's costly health care system and cover some 50 million uninsured. On the heels of the Senate health committee's approval Wednesday of a plan to revamp U.S. health care, three House committees with jurisdiction over the issue were shifting into action.

Obama: Health Care Reform Creates Stability

U.S. - Praising and prodding Congress, President Barack Obama on Wednesday said a vast reform of the nation's health insurance system is required to head off instability to families, industry and the government itself.

"Deferring reform is nothing more than defending the status quo — and those who would oppose our efforts should take a hard look at just what it is they're defending," Obama said in the Rose Garden, pushing for landmark bills to get through the House and Senate before Congress' August recess.

Health Care Reform: Obama Shifts Into Campaign Mode

U.S. - Firing up his drive for health care overhaul, President Barack Obama pressed lawmakers Wednesday to step up to their responsibilities and move legislation this summer, even as his campaign organization rolled out television ads targeting reluctant senators.

President Obama Speaks On Health Care Reform

U.S. - Here are the President's full remarks, as prepared for delivery:

Sotomayor: Obama Didn't Ask Abortion Views

U.S. - Sonia Sotomayor declined repeatedly at Senate confirmation hearings Wednesday to disclose her views on abortion rights and said President Barack Obama never asked her before he chose her for the bench.

"I can't answer ... because I can't look at it in the abstract," she told Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., as he sought to draw her out with questions about hypothetical cases, including one in which a woman wanted to abort a 38-week fetus with a birth defect.

Pictures Of The Day - (July 15 2009)

British Soldiers Killed In Afghanistan Flown Home

All-Star Game: Obama Pitch To Pujols Starts

U.S. - President Barack Obama threw out the night's first pitch with a high and looping curve — like one of Adam Wainwright's killer throws, only 50 mph slower. The Cardinals' own Albert Pujols had to reach down in front of the plate to snag the lefthanded president's pitch. Obama, showing his allegiance with a Chicago White Sox warm-up jacket, pumped his fist and bounded from the mound. He got a hug from Pujols and then shook hands with a row of Cardinals greats. Lou Brock also got a presidential hug.