WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Senate steamed into the ninth hour of a voting marathon on healthcare reform on Thursday after Democrats rejected two dozen Republican efforts to derail a final package of changes to the landmark law.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ended a troubled U.S. visit on Thursday, saying progress had been made toward settling a dispute with the White House over Jewish housing construction in occupied East Jerusalem.

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Union leaders hold what is likely to be a tense and difficult summit on Thursday, divided over how to help heavily indebted Greece and struggling to maintain confidence in the euro.

AP - A 6.2-magnitute earthquake struck west of Manila on Thursday, the seismology institute reported, causing buildings in the Philippine capital to shake and sending frightened workers out of their offices.

AP - Kobe Bryant scored 24 points and the Los Angeles Lakers extended their winning streak to seven games with a 92-83 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night.

Reuters - The Senate steamed into the ninth hour of a voting marathon on healthcare reform on Thursday after Democrats rejected two dozen Republican efforts to derail a final package of changes to the landmark law.

Reuters - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ended a troubled U.S. visit on Thursday, saying progress had been made toward settling a dispute with the White House over Jewish housing construction in occupied East Jerusalem.

Reuters - European Union leaders hold what is likely to be a tense and difficult summit on Thursday, divided over how to help heavily indebted Greece and struggling to maintain confidence in the euro.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A final package of changes to a landmark healthcare reform law must be approved again by the U.S. House of Representatives after the Senate parliamentarian struck two minor provisions on Thursday.

AP - Senate Republicans learned early Thursday that they will be able to kill language in a measure altering President Barack Obama's newly enacted health care overhaul, meaning the bill will have to return to the House for final congressional approval.

AP - Democratic Congress members are getting lessons from the FBI on how to handle threats such as several directed at their colleagues, including bricks hurled through windows and menacing obscenity-laced phone messages left for those who supported sweeping federal health care legislation.

AP - A last-ditch effort to heal the deep dispute between two longtime allies failed when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the United States' main Mideast envoy were unable to resolve a rift over new Israeli housing in east Jerusalem.

AP - CIA officers in Afghanistan were so eager to meet the spy they believed would help them crack al-Qaida's leadership they planned a birthday celebration for his visit in December, current and former U.S. officials said.

Reuters - A package of final changes to a landmark healthcare reform law must be approved again by the U.S. House of Representatives after the Senate parliamentarian eliminated two minor provisions on Thursday.

AFP - A procedural 'violation' means historic US health care reform legislation will have to return to the House of Representatives for a new vote, a spokesman for a senior Democratic senator said.

AFP - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was returning home Thursday having failed to resolve a bitter dispute with Washington over the construction of new Jewish settlements.

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Union leaders were striving on Thursday to reach a last-minute agreement on how to help Greece resolve its debt crisis and reassure investors before what was likely to be a tense summit.

AP - When California voters head to the polls in November, they will decide whether the state will make history again — this time by legalizing the recreational use of marijuana for adults.

Reuters - European Union leaders were striving on Thursday to reach a last-minute agreement on how to help Greece resolve its debt crisis and reassure investors before what was likely to be a tense summit.

AFP - Republicans forced a new vote on fixes to historic US health care reform legislation by finding two procedural 'violations,' a spokesman for a top Democratic senator said on Thursday.

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ended a troubled U.S. visit on Thursday with no apparent resolution of a serious dispute with Washington over Jewish housing in occupied East Jerusalem.

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel backed aid for Greece with IMF involvement as a 'last resort' on Thursday, and the European Central Bank extended looser funding rules in a big reprieve for Athens.

KABUL (Reuters) - The U.N. envoy to Afghanistan met delegates from one of the country's main insurgent groups in Kabul on Thursday, the first Western diplomat to meet them since they arrived in the capital for peace talks with the government.

MATTA, Pakistan (Reuters) - X-ray machines in hospitals in Pakistan's Swat Valley are 20 years old. The tourism industry is shattered. Frustrations over unemployment are spreading.

AP - A special panel of federal judges is being asked Thursday to consolidate before a single court dozens of proposed class-action lawsuits filed by Toyota owners who say the value of their vehicles has plummeted after millions were recalled for safety fixes.

AP - President Barack Obama travels to Iowa City, Iowa, on Thursday to try to sway the public's opinion of his health care overhaul.

AP - House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer voiced concern Thursday over warnings of violent reprisals against members of Congress who voted for landmark health care legislation, saying the threats are being taken 'very seriously.'

AP - Singer Johnny Maestro of the rock-and-roll and doo-wop band The Brooklyn Bridge has died.

AP - An 11-year-old from Connecticut has the most disgusting shoes in America.

AP - Josh Smith would have preferred that Joe Johnson make the shot.

Reuters - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ended a troubled U.S. visit on Thursday with no apparent resolution of a serious dispute with Washington over Jewish housing in occupied East Jerusalem.

Reuters - German Chancellor Angela Merkel backed aid for Greece with IMF involvement as a 'last resort' on Thursday, and the European Central Bank extended looser funding rules in a big reprieve for Athens.

Reuters - The U.N. envoy to Afghanistan met delegates from one of the country's main insurgent groups in Kabul on Thursday, the first Western diplomat to meet them since they arrived in the capital for peace talks with the government.

Reuters - X-ray machines in hospitals in Pakistan's Swat Valley are 20 years old. The tourism industry is shattered. Frustrations over unemployment are spreading.

AFP - German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday demanded ahead of a EU summit that Greece seek rescue finance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

AFP - Pope Benedict XVI faced fresh pedophilia cover-up claims as church files suggested he failed to take action against a US priest accused of molesting up to 200 deaf boys.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The number of U.S. workers filing new applications for unemployment insurance fell sharply last week, boosting hopes of recovery in the labor market.

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Victims of sexual abuse by priests demonstrated at the Vatican on Thursday demanding that Pope Benedict open up files on pedophile Catholic clerics worldwide and immediately defrock all 'predator priests.'

DUBAI (Reuters) - Osama bin Laden threatened al Qaeda would kill any Americans it takes prisoner if accused September 11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed is put to death, according to an audiotape aired on al Jazeera on Thursday.

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - EU leaders appeared to be nearing consensus on an aid mechanism for Greece based on strict German terms before a high-stakes summit on Thursday and Athens won a reprieve when the European Central Bank extended looser funding rules.

OTTAWA (Reuters) - The United States will ask Canada to keep as many as 600 soldiers in Afghanistan after the country's military mission there ends in 2011, the Globe and Mail newspaper said on Thursday.

AP - Brushing off a snag in the Senate, House Democratic leaders said they are prepared to finish work by late Thursday on a package of fixes to the big health care law signed by President Barack Obama.

AP - Al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden threatened in a new audio recording released Thursday to kill any captured Americans if the U.S. executes the self-professed mastermind of the Sept.11 attacks or any other al-Qaida suspects.

AP - New claims for unemployment benefits fell more than expected last week as layoffs ease and hiring slowly recovers.

AP - Two Wisconsin bishops urged the Vatican office led by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger — now Pope Benedict XVI — to let them conduct a church trial against a priest accused of molesting some 200 deaf boys, but the Vatican ordered the process halted, church and Vatican documents show.

AP - Internet cafe users in the British capital may want to watch what they download.

AP - Singer Johnny Maestro, who performed the 1958 doo-wop hit '16 Candles' with The Crests and enjoyed a decades-long career with The Brooklyn Bridge, has died of cancer. He was 70.

AP - The first two rounds of the NCAA tournament are supposed to give us enough upsets and feel-good stories to tide us over until next season.

Reuters - The number of U.S. workers filing new applications for unemployment insurance fell sharply last week, boosting hopes of recovery in the labor market.

Reuters - Victims of sexual abuse by priests demonstrated at the Vatican on Thursday demanding that Pope Benedict open up files on pedophile Catholic clerics worldwide and immediately defrock all 'predator priests.'

Reuters - Osama bin Laden threatened al Qaeda would kill any Americans it takes prisoner if accused September 11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed is put to death, according to an audiotape aired on al Jazeera on Thursday.

Reuters - EU leaders appeared to be nearing consensus on an aid mechanism for Greece based on strict German terms before a high-stakes summit on Thursday and Athens won a reprieve when the European Central Bank extended looser funding rules.

Reuters - The United States will ask Canada to keep as many as 600 soldiers in Afghanistan after the country's military mission there ends in 2011, the Globe and Mail newspaper said on Thursday.

AFP - European leaders moved on Thursday towards calling in the IMF to conquer Greece's debt crisis after overcoming their divisions hours before from a summit overshadowed by a sliding euro currency.

DETROIT (Reuters) - When Toyota Motor Corp concluded that seemingly harmless floormats posed a danger in all of its cars and trucks, the automaker sent a stark warning intended to prevent crashes.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Pentagon made immediate changes on Thursday to make it harder for the U.S. military to kick out gay personnel, an interim step while Congress debates repealing the 'don't ask, don't tell' policy.

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - EU leaders edged toward consensus on a financial safety net for Greece on strict German conditions ahead of a key summit Thursday after the European Central Bank threw Athens a major reprieve on funding rules.

AP - It's not quite over yet. Democrats hit a snag Thursday in their drive to rush through a package of fixes to the big health care law signed by President Barack Obama, but they still hoped for final passage in yet another late-night session.

AP - The Vatican says there was no cover-up in the church's handling of the case of a priest accused of molesting some 200 deaf boys in the United States and has denounced what it says is a campaign to smear the pope.

AP - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday condemned vandalism and threats against members of Congress who voted for sweeping health care changes, and House Republicans who fought the legislation joined in urging people to calm down.

Reuters - When Toyota Motor Corp concluded that seemingly harmless floormats posed a danger in all of its cars and trucks, the automaker sent a stark warning intended to prevent crashes.

Reuters - The Pentagon made immediate changes on Thursday to make it harder for the U.S. military to kick out gay personnel, an interim step while Congress debates repealing the 'don't ask, don't tell' policy.

Reuters - EU leaders edged toward consensus on a financial safety net for Greece on strict German conditions ahead of a key summit Thursday after the European Central Bank threw Athens a major reprieve on funding rules.

AFP - The Vatican hit back Thursday at new paedophilia revelations, defending Pope Benedict XVI against an allegation that he failed to act over a US priest accused of molesting up to 200 deaf children in the 1970s.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (Reuters) - President Barack Obama dared Republicans on Thursday to try to repeal his newly signed healthcare reform but warned that their effort would backfire as he touted the measure's benefits.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Senate on Thursday approved a package of changes to President Barack Obama's landmark healthcare overhaul and sent it to the House of Representatives for final passage.

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The leaders of Germany and France clinched agreement on a joint European-IMF financial safety net for debt-stricken Greece just before an EU summit on Thursday, the French president's office said.

AP - Democrats muscled legislation through the Senate on Thursday reshaping parts of the new health care overhaul law, sending it back to the House for what is expected to be final congressional approval.

AP - The Vatican on Thursday strongly defended its decision not to defrock an American priest accused of molesting some 200 deaf boys in Wisconsin and denounced what it called a campaign to smear Pope Benedict XVI and his aides.

AP - Defense Secretary Robert Gates Thursday approved new rules that will make it harder to discharge gays from the military, calling the changes a matter of 'common sense and common decency.'

AP - President Barack Obama mocked Republicans' campaign to try to repeal his new health care law, saying Thursday they should 'Go for it' and see how well they fare with voters.

AP - Greek government spokesman Giorgos Petalotis says eurozone nations will hold a summit Thursday to ratify a rescue plan for Greece.

AP - Type 'Falun Gong' in Chinese into Google's search engine from Beijing, and the Web browser suddenly becomes unresponsive for about a minute. Make the same search from Hong Kong, and you'll get plenty of links to the spiritual movement banned by the Chinese government.

Reuters - President Barack Obama dared Republicans on Thursday to try to repeal his newly signed healthcare reform but warned that their effort would backfire as he touted the measure's benefits.

Reuters - The Senate on Thursday approved a package of changes to President Barack Obama's landmark healthcare overhaul and sent it to the House of Representatives for final passage.

AFP - Eurozone heavyweights Germany and France lined up a deal to involve the IMF in a Greece rescue package Thursday as the continent's leaders thrashed out a strategy to halt the single currency's slide.

AFP - The Vatican hit back Thursday at new paedophilia revelations, defending Pope Benedict XVI against an allegation that he failed to act over a US priest accused of molesting up to 200 deaf children in the 1970s.

BOSTON (Reuters) - One of the world's most notorious computer criminals was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Thursday after he pleaded guilty to helping run one of the world's biggest hacking rings.

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu planned to convene his inner cabinet to discuss gestures toward the Palestinians after saying on Thursday progress had been made during a troubled U.S. visit.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey on Thursday reached a framework agreement with World Trade Center developer Larry Silverstein, ending a 16-month stalemate over rebuilding at the site destroyed in the September 11 2001 attacks.

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - The Vatican on Thursday angrily attacked the media over its reporting of sexual abuse of children by priests, saying there was an 'ignoble attempt' to smear Pope Benedict 'at any cost.'

AP - Germany and France urged adoption of a joint eurozone and International Monetary Fund bailout program for Greece, a move aimed at putting a stop to months of market turmoil and acrimony over Europe's government debt crisis.

AP - Crews battled at least five fires in Flint on Thursday, the same day the city began laying off a quarter of its firefighters as part of an effort to close its estimated $8 million budget deficit.

AP - Utah police say a man accused of stealing two phones from a convenience store was arrested when he flagged down the investigating officer and asked for directions.

Reuters - One of the world's most notorious computer criminals was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Thursday after he pleaded guilty to helping run one of the world's biggest hacking rings.

Reuters - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu planned to convene his inner cabinet to discuss gestures toward the Palestinians after saying on Thursday progress had been made during a troubled U.S. visit.

Reuters - The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey on Thursday reached a framework agreement with World Trade Center developer Larry Silverstein, ending a 16-month stalemate over rebuilding at the site destroyed in the September 11 2001 attacks.

AFP - Germany and France on Thursday thrashed out a deal to involve the IMF in a rescue package for Greece's ailing economy, as European leaders sought a strategy to halt the euro's slide.

BOSTON (Reuters) - One of the world's most notorious computer hackers was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Thursday after he pleaded guilty to helping run a global ring that stole tens of millions of payment card numbers.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A key U.S. lawmaker expressed support on Thursday for a proposal by communications regulators to give auction proceeds to broadcasters as an incentive to give up some airwaves highly sought by wireless broadband providers.

MILWAUKEE, Wis (Reuters) - Pope Benedict should be held accountable for doing nothing about a Wisconsin priest who was accused of sexually abusing as many as 200 boys at a Milwaukee school for the deaf, one of his victims said on Thursday.

AP - Capping an epic struggle, congressional Democrats applied the final touches Thursday to historic legislation enshrining health care as the right of every citizen. Republicans vowed to campaign for repeal in the fall election season, drawing a quick retort from President Barack Obama: 'I welcome that fight.'

AP - Countries that use the euro said Thursday they have agreed on a financial backstop for Greece that would combine loans from other eurozone governments and the International Monetary Fund, a move aimed at stopping the government debt crisis that has undermined the shared currency.

AP - Up to a third of breast cancer cases in Western countries could be avoided if women ate less and exercised more, researchers at a conference said Thursday, renewing a sensitive debate about how lifestyle factors affect the disease.

AP - A fax bearing the image of a noose. Profane voice mails. Bricks thrown, a gas line cut. White powder sent to an office.

AP - The Obama administration will announce Friday a plan to reduce the amount some troubled borrowers owe on their home loans, three people briefed on the matter said.

AP - John McCain and Sarah Palin will be back on the campaign trail Friday, their first time campaigning together since McCain lost the presidential election a year and a half ago with Palin as his running mate.

Reuters - One of the world's most notorious computer hackers was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Thursday after he pleaded guilty to helping run a global ring that stole tens of millions of payment card numbers.

Reuters - A key U.S. lawmaker expressed support on Thursday for a proposal by communications regulators to give auction proceeds to broadcasters as an incentive to give up some airwaves highly sought by wireless broadband providers.

AFP - Euro nations late on Thursday agreed a deal to involve the IMF in a rescue package for Greece's ailing economy, as European leaders sought to re-boot the euro currency.

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Euro zone leaders agreed on Thursday to create a joint financial safety net with the IMF to help debt-ridden Greece and to try to restore confidence in their common currency after weeks of wrangling.

AP - Revelations that the Vatican halted the investigation of a Wisconsin priest accused of molesting some 200 deaf boys have eerie echoes in Italy, where 67 deaf men and women accused two dozen priests of raping and molesting children for years.

AP - SAN FRANCISCO — Now that a proposal to legalize pot is on the ballot in California, well-organized groups are lining up on both sides of the debate. And it's not just tie-dyed hippies versus anti-drug crusaders.

AP - Cornell has made its way to the Carrier Dome. The Big Red were greeted with cheers and screams of 'Let's go, Big Red!' as they took their front-row seats during halftime.

Reuters - Euro zone leaders agreed on Thursday to create a joint financial safety net with the IMF to help debt-ridden Greece and to try to restore confidence in their common currency after weeks of wrangling.

AFP - European leaders have clinched a deal that re-writes the 11-year-old eurozone's rule-book, with loans, backed by the IMF and under strict conditions, primed for miscreants like Greece.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Congress approved a package of final changes to President Barack Obama's landmark healthcare overhaul on Thursday, and Obama dared Republicans to try to repeal the new law.

AP - Capping an epic struggle, congressional Democrats put the final touches Thursday to historic legislation enshrining health care as the right of every citizen.

AP - A group of eight motorcycles stopped at a red light in north Phoenix were mowed down from behind by a dump truck early Thursday afternoon, killing three riders and injuring six others, at least one critically, authorities said.

AP - Xavier has answered the early thrust by Kansas State with a 10-2 run of its own, and will be headed to the foul line with a chance to tie the game 28-all when the media timeout is over.

Reuters - Congress approved a package of final changes to President Barack Obama's landmark healthcare overhaul on Thursday, and Obama dared Republicans to try to repeal the new law.

AP - North Korea's military warned South Korea and the United States on Friday of 'unprecedented nuclear strikes' over a report the two countries plan to prepare for possible instability in the totalitarian country.

AP - Nearly $730,000 in cash, about 1,000 pieces of jewelry and loaded handguns found hidden alongside recording devices in a mobster's suburban home show there are still plenty of mysteries to unravel about the notorious Chicago Outfit.

AP - A dog that attacked two Chattanooga police cars has been sentenced to obedience and canine good citizen classes. The Chattanooga Times Free Press reported Winston, a mixed-breed, will also have to wear a tag that says he is 'potentially dangerous.' The newspaper said a judge ruled Thursday that charges against the Winston's owner will be dismissed if the classes are successfully completed.

AP - Jason Love hit one of two foul shots to knot the game 94-all, and Kansas State elected to work for a good shot rather than rush it for a two-for-one possession.