At least three people were killed today when a car bomb exploded near a bus for pilgrims in the Shiite holy city of Najaf. Insurgents are blamed for dozens of other deaths in the Iraqi cities in the run-up to tomorrow's national elections. Hundreds o
The Justice Department has unsealed terrorism charges against the man who has been linked to a Somali terrorist group called Al-shabaab. Authorities say he had bomb-making instructions in his possession when he was arrested. NPRs Dina Temple-Raston r
The Senate is taking a key vote on legislation extending jobless benefits to Americans. It's a procedural vote. The legislation includes dozens of tax breaks for individuals and businesses that expired in 2009. Congress has previously passed several
President Obama welcomed Haitian President Rene Preval at the White House today. Preval is in the US thanking Americans for their help after Haitis devastating earthquake in January. Mr. Obama says the quake was one of the most devastating incidents
Democratic leaders are working today to unite the party behind a healthcare overhaul bill. They're hoping to push through Congress before the break. There was talk of a March 18th vote in the House, but the president's spokesman Robert Gibbs says law
President Obama is putting off next week's trip to Indonesia, his first overseas trip of the year to stay close to the latest action on healthcare. Democratic leaders in the House are looking to pass an overhaul bill this month, but President Obama i
A series of explosions including suicide blasts is blamed in at least 27 deaths in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar today. Authorities say more than 50 people are wounded. The biggest attack was on a prison. Officials believe insurgents may have
The State Department is warning Americans to be extra careful about traveling to Mexico, the day after three people, two of them US citizens, were gunned down in Ciudad Juarez. NPRs Sonari Glinton has the story. Drug cartel violence, especially along
President Obama is seeking to build public pressure on lawmakers in advance of a vote on healthcare overhaul legislation by putting a personal face on the issue. The president speaking at a senior center near the Ohio hometown of Natoma Canfield toda
President Obama congratulated Iraqis for coming out to vote in todays parliamentary elections in spite of violence by insurgents that killed at least 38 people. That's the sound of the morning call to prayer during voting this morning at a Baghdad po
From NPR News in Washington, I'm Craig Windham. Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev says his country is now ready to consider new sanctions against Iran over that nation's nuclear program. Medvedev says he's still hoping though the tougher sanctions c
From NPR News in Washington, Im Renita Jablonsky. President Obama is revising his health overhaul plan to add some Republican proposals. But as NPRs Julie Rovner reports, theyre not likely to win many new votes. Mr. Obama said the changes were prompt
President Obama wants Congress to finish work on healthcare legislation. Hes calling on lawmakers to bring bills to the floor and vote on them. Republicans hate the bills and many want to scrap the existing legislation. And Mr. Obama says thats a fat
The New York governors communications chief is resigning over the political scandal overshadowing the states top office. In a statement today Peter Hoffman says that given the recent developments, he had to quit. Governor David Paterson is under pres
The economy showing signs of turning a corner. The Labor Department reports today that employers cut 36,000 jobs last month far fewer than predicted. As Hugh Johnson, chief economist of Johnson Illington Advisors notes the unemployment rate remains s
President Obama is expected to sign the healthcare overhaul legislation into law tomorrow. The president says the House action approving the bill last night proves Americans are still capable of doing big things and tackling big challenges. We proved
From NPR news in Washington I am Lakshmi Singh. President Obama is on Capitol Hill attending a democratic pipe rally of sorts ahead of tomorrows land mark health care vote in the House. This debate has been a difficult debate. This process has been a
Congresss top Democrats will head to the White House tomorrow, the eve of a crucial healthcare vote. As NPRs Audie Cornish reports, the fight for votes is coming down to the wire. House Democrats need 216 votes in order to approve the health overhaul
From NPR News in Washington, Im Lakshmi Singh. President Obama is hailing a new analysis by the Congressional Budget Office that says his healthcare bill will reduce the deficit. NPRs Mara Liasson reports. In the Rose Garden just before signing a job
The Senates passed legislation to help create jobs. The bill includes federally subsidized bonds for public works in $20 billion to keep highway building projects going. NPRs David Welna reports it also gives tax breaks to employers who hire the long