Clinton rebukes Israel over East Jerusalem plans, cites damage to bilateral ties Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton rebuked Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Friday about the state of the U.S.-Israeli relationship, demanding that Israel take immediate steps to show it is interested in renewing efforts to achieve a Middle East peace agreement.

U.S., Europe at odds over global financial reform A feud between the United States and Europe has cast doubt on the likelihood of a comprehensive global response to the financial crisis that nearly sparked a worldwide depression, according to regulators and analysts.

Democrats more hopeful on health-care vote Democratic leaders on Friday stoked expectations that the year-long debate in Congress over health care may be coming to an end, after President Obama delayed his upcoming trip to the South Pacific and House leaders indicated they could deliver a final bill for his signature by the end of next week.

Campaign stunt launches a corporate 'candidate' for Congress Murray Hill might be the perfect candidate for this political moment: young, bold, media-savvy, a Washington outsider eager to reshape the way things are done in the nation's capital. And if these are cynical times, well, then, it's safe to say Murray Hill is by far the most cynical.

FEMA's sale of Katrina trailers sparks criticism In a giant auction, the federal government has agreed to sell for pennies on the dollar most of the 120,000 formaldehyde-tainted trailers it bought nearly five years ago for Hurricane Katrina victims. But the sale of the units, perhaps the most visible symbol of the government's bungled response to...

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Tea Party Avoids Divisive Social IssuesGod, life and family get little mention in the party’s statements, with the focus instead on fiscal responsibility.

Texas Conservatives Win Vote on Textbook StandardsBecause Texas is a large buyer of textbooks, the changes approved by the school board will have a broad influence.

Gingrich Savors Another Turn in the SpotlightDespite some political baggage, the former House speaker has built himself into a one-man industry, to renewed attention among conservatives.

Republicans Name 6 to Debt-Reduction PanelSkepticism is high that Republicans would agree to raise revenues, or that Democrats would slash spending on programs like Medicaid, but economists called for both actions.

Women Making Gains on Faculty at HarvardThe president of Harvard said the university has seen a culture shift since it was suggested there in 2005 that women were unsuited to careers in math and science.

Grapevine Moth Forces Quarantine for Part of Napa ValleyA 162-square-mile area of Napa Valley has been quarantined in an effort to stop the spread of the European grapevine moth, which also threatens other fruit.

San Francisco Mayor Is Seeking State’s No. 2 JobThe announcement comes a little more than four months after Mayor Gavin Newsom dropped out of the race for governor.

Beliefs: Beliefs: A Christian Overture to Muslims Has Its Critics“The Camel Method” for preaching to Muslims has prompted controversy among Southern Baptists.

Senate Backs Ban on Mail-Order Cigarettes in Setback for TribeThe vote, which was unanimous despite earlier opposition to the bill, was condemned by leaders of the Seneca Nation.

3 Rulings Find No Link to Vaccines and AutismJudges used strong language in dismissing anti-vaccine evidence presented in cases against the government.

Top Choices Are Floated to Fill Seats on Fed BoardIssues like inflation and interest rate policy played roles in the administration putting forth names like Janet L. Yellen to be considered for the bank’s board of governors.

U.S. to Scrutinize Agriculture for Antitrust IssuesThe Agriculture and Justice Departments will work together to address concerns about large companies dominating seeds, milk and livestock.

Findings on Lehman Take Even Experts by SurpriseThe report on the demise of Lehman Brothers is full of exhaustive detail in its nine volumes, acting as a road map for further inquiry into Lehman executives.

I.R.S. Increases Audits of WealthyThe federal agency increased its audits of taxpayers who earned $1 million to $5 million by 33 percent in 2009 from 2008.

Climate Change Threatens Migratory Birds, Report SaysFor the first time, an Interior Department report adds climate change to other factors threatening bird populations.

Gillibrand Still Trying to Win Over BloombergMayor Michael R. Bloomberg has worked against Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand’s candidacy but never said why.

Appeals Court Upholds Cable TV Access RulesThe regulations require cable TV companies to make programming available on equal terms to rival TV providers.

3 Army Officers Face Reprimands in 2008 Afghan BattleAn investigation into the 2008 battle of Wanat, one of the deadliest days of the war for U.S. forces in Afghanistan, is expected to result in serious letters of reprimand for three officers.

National Briefing | South: Virginia: Senator’s Wife Has SurgeryThe wife of the Senate majority leader, Harry Reid of Nevada, underwent surgery Friday to stabilize serious injuries suffered in a car accident.

National Briefing | Washington: Climate Change Adds to Bird StressChanges in the global climate are imposing stress on hundreds of species of migratory birds that are already threatened by other environmental factors.

National Briefing | Health: New Numbers for Swine FluAbout 12,000 Americans died from swine flu between its emergence last April until mid-February, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated.

Names of the DeadThe Department of Defense confirmed the death of the following American on Friday.

Pelosi Predicts a Health Bill Within 10 DaysThe White House and Congressional leaders put Democrats on notice that they would push ahead next week toward climactic votes on health care legislation.

Textbooks a Texas Dentist Could LoveA conservative activist is working to correct what he sees as the liberal bias of the experts who write American history and science textbooks.

Suspected Militant Worked at Nuclear PlantsSharif Mobley, who is being held in Yemen as a suspect militant with an Al Qaeda-affiliated group, reportedly worked at the Salem and Hope Creek nuclear reactors in New Jersey.

Slim Leads Gates in Billionaire RaceAccording to Forbes magazine, Carlos Slim Helu, the son of a Lebanese immigrant to Mexico who has become a major shareholder in and lender to The New York Times, is now the world's richest man.

Ahmadinejad Calls 9/11 'A Big Fabrication'Perhaps concerned that his repeated suggestions that the Holocaust might not have happened have become less shocking over time, Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad upped the ante on Saturday, telling intelligence officials in Tehran that the destruction of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 was staged.

Colorado Mom Held in Terror Plot CaseJamie Paulin-Ramirez, a 31-year-old mom, is in the custody of Irish police, along with six others, arrested as part of a probe into the alleged plot to kill a Swedish cartoonist who made fun of the Prophet Mohammed.

Texans Fight Over Birds, Water RightsThe whooping crane is the subject of a suit filed this week in Texas that some officials say is aimed at halting a nuclear project.

Dodd Urged to Delay Vote on Financial OverhaulThe 10 Republicans on the Senate Banking Committee urged the panel's chairman, Christopher Dodd, to delay a looming committee vote on a package of new financial market rules.

Cabbies Overcharge by MillionsNew York City taxi drivers overcharged customers by a total of $8.3 million during the past 26 months, the city's Taxi and Limousine Commission said.

Orange County Sues ToyotaOrange County prosecutors filed a civil lawsuit against Toyota over safety concerns with their vehicles.

Health-Care Endgame BeginsHouse Democrats laid the groundwork for a vote on a health-care overhaul as early as next Friday and Obama postponed an overseas trip to be on hand for what he hopes will be the passage of his top domestic priority.

Microsoft Workers Hide Their iPhonesMicrosoft employees are passionate users of the latest tech toys. But there's one gadget love that many at the company dare not name: the iPhone.

The Case for Unpopular ClientsThe demands to name the "al Qaeda seven" weaken the country's democratic ideals. Stephen Jones on why lawyers must take on controversial cases.

The Girl Who Beat Up Karl RoveThe future presidential adviser's school days improved with a debating team, a campaign and a first election win.

Golf's Future Team of Rivals?Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler, Dustin Johnson and Anthony Kim are among a talented cohort of golfers under age 25 who could be battling it out for years—or not.

Swift US financial overhaul is 'unrealistic'Republicans have warned Chris Dodd, the Democratic chairman of the Senate banking committee, that his aim to get a financial regulation bill to the Senate floor by the end of the month is unrealistic

Funding squeeze spurs student backlashAfter a 40-year absence, revolution is again in the air in California, with university students taking to the streets to mount noisy and increasingly angry protests directed against steep rises in tuition fees

Clinton rebukes Israel over new settlementsHillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, hit back strongly at Israel following its humiliation of Joe Biden, the vice-president, when it announced new settlement construction during his visit to the country

Sarkozy and Brown hit at US on air tenderThe French president and British prime minister have attacked the US for alleged protectionism in its handling of a $50bn military tender that looks likely to be awarded to Boeing

Yellen to be nominated as Fed vice-chairThe Obama administration is set to nominate Janet Yellen, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, as vice-chairman of the central bank

US health reform bill deadline pushed back In a new sign of the difficulties facing healthcare reform legislation, President Barack Obama delayed his trip to Asia by three days to try to push through his reforms

US retail sales show surprise rise in FebruaryUS retail sales recorded a surprise rise in February, as wary consumers braved harsh winter storms and showed renewed interest in spending

Exporters exhortedSince his inauguration, the world has been waiting for a coherent, substantive policy on trade from Barack Obama. And the wait goes on

The lesson from Lehman's failureIf there are lessons to be learned from Lehman, it is not simply that its management succumbed to temptation, it is that institutions with bank-like characteristics should be subject to proper oversight

The truth about speculators: they are doing God's workSpeculation is to financial markets what claptrap is to the political system: absolutely crucial. Populist bombast grabs the attention of the electorate and wins votes, writes Paul Murphy

France and UK seek hedge fund dealGordon Brown and Nicolas Sarkozy are to try to hammer out a compromise deal over European Union reforms that the US and UK believe could damage the hedge fund and private equity industries

Hopes rise as US trade gap narrowsPlunging domestic demand for oil and foreign cars unexpectedly narrowed the US trade gap in January, official figures showed, lifting hopes for stronger economic growth in the first quarter

US household debt falls for first timeAmericans reduced their household debt for the first year on record last year as they aggressively cut back on spending to cope with the recession, Federal Reserve figures showed

Dodd to revise regulatory reform billChris Dodd, the Senate banking committee chairman, said that he would introduce a financial regulatory reform bill next week in a substantial move forward for one of President Barack Obama's legislative priorities.

US foreclosures take their toll on homeownersThe housing crisis and its devastating effects on lives are far from over

10 killed in blast in Pakistan's SwatA suicide bomber targeting security forces in Pakistan's Swat Valley on Saturday killed at least 10 people, police said, part of a renewed Taliban push against the government after a major crackdown against the group

Femme Fettle: The US is now a 'woman's nation'The recent hoopla in India over legislative quotas for women has attracted considerable attention in America.

Nothing cozy about the Sarkozys The media is buzzing with rumours that the president and his first lady Carla Bruni have both found love in other people's arms.

Indian jailed for 9 years for raping teen in UKA British court has sentenced a 23-year-old Indian man to nine years in prison for raping a teenage girl in April last year.

Clinton warns Israel over settlementsUS secretary of state Hillary Clinton warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday his government sent a "deeply negative signal" by taking steps that undermined renewed Middle East peace talks.

CIA test made villagers 'go mad'A mind control experiment conducted by America's Central Investigative Agency is being blamed for a mysterious disease that caused an entire French village to go temporarily mad 50 years ago.

'Princess Diana died as plan to scare went wrong'Princess Diana was killed in a road accident in 1997 after attempts to "frighten" her into dumping her boyfriend Dodi al Fayed and ending her anti-establishment activities went horribly wrong, a leading British lawyer has claimed.

German archbishop sorry over child abuseThe head of Germany's Catholic Church apologised to victims of child abuse by priests and said after meeting Pope Benedict on Friday the pontiff encouraged him to press ahead with tackling the problem.

Churchill 'scrapped' plan to kill MussoliniBritain's wartime flying chief Arthur "Bomber" Harris chalked out a "brilliant" plan to assassinate Italy's fascist dictator Benito Mussolini during World War II, but the then PM Winston Churchill rejected it, de-classified documents have revealed.

Sarko's 'volapuk' stumps allWhat's volapuk? Fret not, if you have not come across this word. Even French interpreters were stumped when President Nicolas Sarkozy came up with this rare expression at an environment conference in Paris.

'Reopen graft cases against Zardari' Pakistan SC has directed the country's anti-corruption watchdog to reopen graft cases against president Asif Ali Zardari and 8,000 others that were quashed under the controversial National Reconciliation Ordinance.

Israel to seal off West Bank for 48 hoursIsraeli defence minister Ehud Barak has ordered the army to seal off the West Bank for 48 hours until midnight on Saturday, an army spokesman said.

New York to pay $657m in 9/11 WTC health cases More than 10,000 people who worked in the toxic chaos of New York's Ground Zero after 9/11 could receive compensation totalling 657 million dollars for health problems under a settlement reached on Thursday.

Rise in number of Indians holidaying in Australia There has been a 26 percent increase in Indians holidaying in Australia's Victoria state in the year ending December 2009 as compared to the same period in 2008, reveals a survey.

Sweden recognises Armenian genocide of 1915The Swedish parliament on Thursday recognised the massacres of Armenians during World War I as genocide, immediately sparking a diplomatic row with Turkey.

Subjugation of women threatens US security: Hillary ClintonCalling the subjugation of women a threat to American security, US secretary of state Hillary Clinton made a vibrant plea to give equal rights to women around the world.

Indian jailed for 9 years for raping teenager in UKA British court has sentenced a 23-year-old Indian man to nine years in prison for raping a teenage girl in April last year.

Suicide bomber kills 10 in Pakistan's SwatA suicide bomber targeting security forces in Pakistan's Swat Valley on Saturday killed at least 10 people, police said, part of a renewed Taliban push against the government after a major crackdown against the group

Nepal army chief refuses to induct Maoist fighters en masseNepal army chief General Chhatraman Singh Gurung has refused to hire fighters from the opposition Maoist party's guerrilla army en masse.

'Diana died as plan to scare went wrong'Princess Diana was killed in a road accident in 1997 after attempts to "frighten" her into dumping her boyfriend Dodi al Fayed and ending her anti-establishment activities went horribly wrong, a leading British lawyer has claimed.

Nothing cozy about the Sarkozys The media is buzzing with rumours that the president and his first lady Carla Bruni have both found love in other people's arms.

Now, Hindi classes at Indian embassy in BeijingThe Indian govt has taken a leaf out of Chinese diplomacy — the great dragon has been teaching Chinese language in India for years — and has launched the first course of Hindi-to-Chinese at the Indian embassy's cultural centre in Beijing.

Hillary Clinton rebukes Netanyahu over housing unit plansUS secretary of state Hillary Clinton warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday his government sent a "deeply negative signal" by taking steps that undermined renewed Middle East peace talks.

Disasters and the moral ambiguity of lootingThe unsettled ethics of pillaging after a catastrophe acquired a new wrinkle in Chile, where some frightened citizens were allowed to 'take' staples for survival.

Woman travels 14 miles by bus - to cross the road An 89-year-old British woman travels 14 miles to reach a post office located opposite her home as there is no pedestrian crossing on the main road, a media report on Friday said.