AP - President Barack Obama's special envoy to Pakistan praised the country's 'very significant' progress in taking back key areas from Taliban militants and said the U.S. would provide more weapons for the fight as well as badly needed economic aid.

AP - Hundreds of schools are heeding the government's call to set up flu-shot clinics this fall, preparing for what could be the most widespread school vaccinations since the days of polio.

Politico - GOP drafts NFL talent.

AP - Two policemen were killed in separate sniper attacks in Russia's violent republic of Dagestan on Saturday, authorities said, the latest in three days of bloodshed that has claimed more than 20 lives in the North Caucasus.

AP - Sen. Arlen Specter says critics of the Democrats' health care proposals are not representative of the public's view on the issue.

AP - President Barack Obama's health secretary says it's a 'horrific' twisting of the facts to say that 'death panels' are part of a health care overhaul.

AP - A Republican senator says a potential administration shift from a government-run health insurance to a privately run cooperative is something that opponents like him should consider.

AFP - The US man deported by Myanmar after swimming to the home of Aung San Suu Kyi had harmed the democracy icon by his 'regrettable' actions, the US senator who secured his release said Sunday.

AP - The chairman of the House tax-writing committee says he thinks President Barack Obama can keep his promise not to raise taxes on most people and still overhaul health care.

AP - An Oklahoma senator says the angry tone of the health care debate is the result of people losing confidence in government.

AP - Police say thieves behind one of Britain's biggest jewel heists abandoned an initial robbery attempt two days before the crime.

AP - When Egypt's leader meets on Tuesday with President Barack Obama in Washington, U.S. officials may find themselves caught up in the country's No. 1 guessing game: How much longer can Hosni Mubarak go on?

Politico - A bipartisan team announces its own '50 Most Beautiful' list to rival that of The Hill's.

Bloomberg - Aug. 16 (Bloomberg) -- Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said providing citizens with the option of government-run insurance isn’t essential to the Obama administration’s proposed overhaul of U.S. health care.

Bloomberg - Aug. 16 (Bloomberg) -- President Barack Obama wrote in today’s New York Times that changes in the U.S. health-care system that he’s backing will save money and improve care.

Politico - Obama and top aides signal that they’re prepared to drop gov't insurance from a final health deal.

AP - Hundreds of anti-fascist protesters tried to block people Saturday from attending a festival held by the far-right, anti-immigrant British National Party, which has been encouraged by recent electoral success.

AFP - An embattled President Barack Obama and his aides signaled Sunday a softening of the administration's insistence on a so-called 'public option,' or government insurance plan, as crucial to the reform of the US health care system.

AP - South Carolina Republican Bob Inglis, frustrated by a restive crowd at a recent forum to discuss health care reform, suggested people turn off the TV when Fox News Channel's Glenn Beck came on.

Politico - The Obamas' four-day trip has been the closest thing they’ve had to a family vacation since Inauguration.

Politico - Republicans have a spring back in their step thanks to a health care debate that has cooled Obama-mania.

AP - Turkey marked 25 years Saturday since the first Kurdish rebel attacks, with political leaders calling for reconciliation, though the government has yet to offer a new plan for ending the conflict.

AFP - Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is set to meet Monday with key US government officials, including Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, ahead of his first White House visit in five years.

Politico - W.H. responds after some recipients of a health-care e-mail complain they hadn't asked to receive updates.