US concerned by Gaza situation
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Bush administration on Friday expressed concern about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, but officials blamed the militant Hamas movement for Palestinian suffering and said it was difficult for the Israeli military to avoid civilian casualties....

Obama says his economic plan will be refined
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President-elect Barack Obama said Friday that he and Congress will "hone and refine" his nearly $800 billion economic recovery plan, as he seeks to patch fissures with senior Democrats over key features of the still-emerging plan....

Toxic coal ash piling up in ponds in 32 states
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Millions of tons of toxic coal ash are piling up in power plant ponds in 32 states, a practice the government has long recognized as a risk to human health and the environment but has left unregulated....

Court steps into case involving Iraq
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Supreme Court said Friday it will decide whether the Iraqi government has immunity in American courts for the acts of Saddam Hussein's regime....

Judge rules against White House on visitors logs
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A federal judge on Friday rejected the Bush administration's latest attempt to keep secret the identities of White House visitors and declared that the government illegally deleted Secret Service computer records....

Obama mother-in-law to join family in White House
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Get ready for the in-law in chief....

Panel calls for continuing probe of lost pilot
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A Navy review board says the Pentagon should continue investigating what happened to a fighter pilot who was the first American lost in the Persian Gulf War almost 20 years ago, saying it's not yet time to close the case....

Court will hear reverse discrimination case
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Supreme Court on Friday stepped into a reverse discrimination lawsuit over a city's decision to scrap a promotion exam for firefighters because too few minorities scored high enough to move up in rank....

Voting rights law under high court review
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Days before the first black president takes office, the Supreme Court agreed Friday to consider overturning a key feature of the main federal law that ensures access to the polls by minorities....

VP-elect Biden holds talks with Pakistani leaders
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Vice President-elect Joe Biden on Friday met with Pakistani leaders during an Asian trip meant to show the new administration's interest in the troubled region....