AFP - A classic New England summer spot off the coast of Massachusetts is in a frenzy as locals prepare to welcome US President Barack Obama and his family for their vacation on Sunday.

AP - Chancellor Angela Merkel reiterated her support Saturday for a memorial to Germans forced to relocate from eastern Europe after World War II, but said it did not mean Germany was seeking to diminish responsibility for starting the war.

AP - Millions of older people face shrinking Social Security checks next year, the first time in a generation that payments would not rise.

AP - Sen. John McCain said he wants the military leadership in Afghanistan to use the same aggressive approach that Gen. David Petraeus used successfully in Iraq.

Politico - As health care debate rages on, Obama will begin a week-long vacation Sunday�in Martha’s Vineyard.

AP - Republican Sen. John McCain says the absence of ailing Ted Kennedy in pushing health-care reform has made a 'huge, huge difference' in whether legislation gets passed.

AP - Sen. John McCain is refusing to consider raising taxes to reduce the ballooning deficit.

AP - Social Security cost of living increases since '75

AP - Paris' Picasso Museum is closing its doors for renovations, spiriting away its masterpieces under high security to government warehouses for more than two years while seeking to expand the much-visited but cramped site.

AP - A French far-right activist has been released from prison seven years after attempting to assassinate then-President Jacques Chirac in a Bastille Day attack, a judicial official said Saturday.

AP - The top U.S. military officer says he's appalled by the Scotland government's decision to free the Lockerbie bomber.

AP - The U.S. military's top uniformed officer expressed concern Sunday about eroding public support for the war in Afghanistan and said the country remains vulnerable to being taken over again by extremist forces.

AP - The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff says he's extremely concerned by last week's deadly bombings in Baghdad.

AP - A lucky lotto player in Tuscany won Italy's record euro147.8 million ($211.8 million) state lottery Saturday, pocketing what has been billed as Europe's biggest jackpot.

AFP - Briefly delayed by Hurricane Bill, President Barack Obama headed Sunday for his first vacation since taking office, seeking respite from a mounting pile of political problems.

AP - A key Democrat in the health care debate says separating out the various issues and putting them in different bills isn't likely to work.

AP - A leading U.S. stunt pilot was killed Saturday when her light aircraft crashed at an aerobatic show in central England.

AP - Pakistani Taliban fighters are committed to helping the fight in Afghanistan and consider Barack Obama their 'No 1 enemy,' a top commander said amid uncertainty Sunday about whether a new leader has been appointed to head the movement.

AP - A newspaper poll says Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid faces formidable opposition next year when he seeks a fifth term.

AP - Prosecutors say one man died and eight people were wounded when brawls and shooting erupted at a Dutch beach party.

AP - It's shortly after noon, and teenagers who were taught their capital is Zagreb, in neighboring Croatia, are streaming out of Stolac High School. In an hour, their classrooms will be filled with children who have learned that their capital is Sarajevo, Bosnia.

AFP - A greater-than-expected US budget deficit and continuing recession woes led some US lawmakers Sunday to urge President Barack Obama to scale back his ambitious healthcare overhaul plan.

Politico - Nothing spurs public outrage like Wall Street bonuses and huge payouts to banking execs.

Bloomberg - Aug. 23 (Bloomberg) -- New York Senator Charles Schumer said President Barack Obama and Democratic congressional leaders are considering “alternatives” to a bipartisan health-care bill amid continuing opposition from Republicans.

AFP - A senior US senator on Sunday urged an independent investigation of Scotland's decision to free the Lockerbie bomber, expressing concern that British interest in Libyan oil may have played a role.

AFP - A senior US senator urged an independent investigation of Scotland's decision to free the Lockerbie bomber, expressing concern that British interest in Libyan oil may have played a role.

Bloomberg - Aug. 24 (Bloomberg) -- President Barack Obama and Democratic congressional leaders, unable to reach deal with Republicans in health care, are considering alternatives to a bipartisan bill, Senator Charles Schumer said.