The supervisor is Mike Stewart (800-845-8450, ext. 1602). In Photos, Shahrzad Elghanayan (ext. 1900). In Multimedia/Graphics, Bernadette Tuazon (ext. 1901). Expanded AP content, beyond what appears on this wire, can be obtained from http://www.apexchange.com. For access to AP Exchange and other technical issues, contact customersupport(at)ap.org or call 877-836-9477.
NEW & DEVELOPING:
— NEW CENTURY-SEC CHARGES — SEC accuses 3 ex-New Century executives of fraud over subprime mortgage collapse. Has moved.
— DRONE PATROLS-SMUGGLERS — Feds say they will use unmanned Predator aircraft drones to hunt ocean smugglers. Has moved.
— HEALTH CARE OVERHAUL — Afternoon votes possible.
FOR LOCALIZING:
— DRUNKEN DRIVING — State-by-state drunken driving data can be found at http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811250.pdf.
TOP STORIES:
CLIMATE-EPA
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration takes a major step toward imposing the first federal limits on climate-changing pollution from cars, power plants and factories, declaring there is compelling scientific evidence that manmade greenhouse gases are endangering Americans' health. Environmentalists hail the action, but business groups say it will cost jobs and drive up energy prices. By H. Josef Hebert and Dina Cappiello.
AP photos staffing.
CLIMATE
COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Delegates from almost 200 nations — threatened islands and oil powers, industrial giants and impoverished Africans — gather for the most important climate change summit in history. They seek common ground in stepping up the struggle to hold off the most dangerous effects of global warming. The Obama administration, under renewed pressure from Europe to take action, shows it is ready to take action against greenhouse gases even if the U.S. Congress isn't. By Charles J. Hanley.
AP photos, graphics, video.
OBAMA-JOBS
WASHINGTON — Under heavy pressure to create jobs, President Obama and congressional Democrats are eyeing a pot of money that suddenly seems available. Tens of billions of dollars of repaid and leftover funds from the nationwide bank bailout may be used for an emergency employment program. By Tom Raum.
IRAN
TEHRAN, Iran — Tens of thousands of students — shouting "Death to the Dictator" and burning pictures of the country's supreme leader — renew Iran's anti-government protests on more than a dozen campuses. Militiamen beat demonstrators with batons and fire tear gas as the opposition stages its biggest rallies in months. By Ali Akbar Dareini.
AP photos, graphic, video.
COLON CANCER, HFR
ATLANTA — Colon cancer deaths could be cut in half over the next decade because of better screening and treatment, according to optimistic predictions by researchers. The estimate was made in an annual report that shows cancer rates overall continue to drop. By Medical Writer Mike Stobbe.
Eds: For release at 5 p.m.
WILD HORSES
SPARKS, Nev. — That iconic American image of wild mustangs thundering freely across the West could be heading east. The government wants to carry out perhaps the biggest roundup of wild horses in U.S. history, sending up to 25,000 of the untamed animals from the West to the Midwest and East. Planners say it's the only way to save the rapidly multiplying wild horses from mass starvation, but opponents, including celebrities Sheryl Crow, Bill Maher and Ed Harris, believe the effort is inhumane and unnecessary. By Martin Griffith.
AP photos.
WASHINGTON:
HEALTH CARE OVERHAUL
WASHINGTON — Moderate and liberal Democrats search for a compromise on whether to allow the government to sell health insurance as the Senate draws closer to delivering on President Barack Obama's top priority. Abortion, however, remains a major obstacle. By Special Correspondent David Espo.
AP photo.
CAPITAL CULTURE: OBAMA-ARTS POLICY, HFR
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is providing the largest infusion of cultural funding in decades — despite a few stumbles. Though the money is still far less than advocates want, they have high hopes this president could transform cultural policy, funding and arts education for years to come. By Brett Zongker.
Eds: For release at 12:01 a.m.
AP photos.
HEALTH:
HEALTHBEAT-HOSPITAL RETURNS
WASHINGTON — One in five Medicare patients winds up back in the hospital within a month of being discharged — one in four in heart failure cases — bad for patients and a waste of millions in health dollars. Now a major push is on to tackle preventable rehospitalizations, arming patients with simple steps to keep their recovery at home on track. By Medical Writer Lauran Neergaard.
MORE ON THE ECONOMY:
STRESS MAP
WASHINGTON — Now that the Great Recession appears over, the economy looks to be entering a Rocky Recovery, in which much of the nation will continue to struggle well into 2010. The Associated Press' monthly analysis of economic stress in more than 3,100 U.S. counties finds some signs of improvement driven by steadying foreclosure and bankruptcy rates. By Mike Schneider and Martin Crutsinger.
AP photos, graphic, multimedia.
With:
— STRESS MAP-LIST.
Also:
— BERNANKE — Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke says it's still too soon to declare that the budding economic recovery will last.
— ECONOMY — Consumer borrowing falls at annual rate of $3.5 billion in October, record 9th straight decline.
— DUBAI-MELTDOWN — Dubai is facing up to the reality of its credit crisis, acknowledging that the sprawling conglomerate it created needs to sell off domestic and overseas assets in a quest for fresh cash.
— EBAY-CRAIGSLIST — Internet heavyweights eBay and Craigslist squaring off in a Delaware courtroom over a business deal gone bad.
INTERNATIONAL:
AFGHAN-BUILDING TIES
KHAN NESHIN, Afghanistan — The dusty bazaar in this southern Afghan town was once teeming with Taliban fighters and drug smugglers. Since Marines entered the town five months ago, the Taliban are gone but business is down — a sign of the difficulty of anticipating potential problems and building support among Afghan communities. By Sebastian Abbot.
AP photos.
Also:
— US-AFGHANISTAN-MULLEN — Nation's top military commander tells Afghanistan-bound soldiers he expects casualties to rise next year as additional U.S. troops pour into the war. AP photos.
IRAQ-CLUB CRACKDOWN
BAGHDAD — The padlocks snapped shut last week. Musicians packed up their instruments and bartenders stored away the liquor in the latest blow to Baghdad's freewheeling nightlife. The closures on a street along the Tigris River are part of a crackdown of unlicensed nightclubs, bars and liquor stores that cater to the city's new mood: increasingly high spirits as violence continues to fall. By Brian Murphy.
AP photos.
With:
— IRAQ — The election commission proposes a 45-day delay in Iraq's parliamentary elections until Feb. 27 after lawmakers resolve disputes over voting rules.
KOREAS-NUCLEAR
SEOUL, South Korea — After a year of tensions, President Barack Obama is sending a veteran diplomat to North Korea. A key question is whether Stephen Bosworth can extract a firm commitment from Pyongyang to rejoin nuclear disarmament talks — and for signs that North Korea is serious, this time, about peace on the peninsula. By Jean H. Lee
AP photos.
CHINA-DETAINED DISSIDENT
BEIJING — Police took Liu Xiaobo away a year ago, one day before the publication of a manifesto he co-authored that called for an end to the Communist Party's political dominance. Other Chinese bold enough to put their names to "Charter 08" have been persecuted, but a year later, about 10,000 people have signed the document. By Alexa Olesen.
AP photos.
Also:
— PAKISTAN — Explosions in Pakistan kill more than 40.
NATIONAL:
SPACE TOURISM
LOS ANGELES — A stubby, cigar-shaped spacecraft hardly looked like the stuff of science-fiction fantasy. But engineers who spent five years designing the nation's first commercial spacecraft hope to rocket into history by taking well-heeled customers on their first flights to the edge of space in as little as 18 months. A 2½-hour flight would cost $200,000 and include a mere five minutes of weightlessness. By Alicia Chang.
AP photos, video.
SYRUP SCHOOL
SKOWHEGAN, Maine — Tasting maple syrup is a lot like tasting wine. Sniff the aroma, take a sip, hold it on your tongue and savor it for a moment to register the sensation. At the International Maple Grading School, syrup is serious stuff where students in the industry take slow sips to appreciate the shadings of amber and sappy sweetness at a time when maple syrup is in the midst of its biggest production boom in decades. By Clarke Canfield.
AP photos.
Also:
— CHICAGO-TERRORISM CHARGES — A Chicago man accused of planning an attack on a Danish newspaper is charged with conducting surveillance in Mumbai before 2008 attacks that killed 166 people.
— CHIMPANZEE ATTACK — Prosecutor does not plan to charge owner of chimpanzee that mauled and blinded a woman in February.
— WISCONSIN DOUBLE HOMICIDES — Authorities in Wisconsin area locate SUV, body in search for fugitive in quadruple slayings.
— DEATH PENALTY-OHIO — Inmate scheduled to become nation's first to die using single-drug method arrives at Ohio death house for execution Tuesday.
— ACORN VIDEOS — Attorney who reviewed ACORN videos says he found no pattern of intentional, illegal conduct.
ALSO GETTING ATTENTION:
— BRITAIN-EATING A RAT — British broadcaster ITV has apologized after two contestants on a reality TV show skinned, cooked and ate a rat during filming.
— BRAZIL-TUNNEL HEIST — Thieves tunnel to Brazilian armored truck company, make off with nearly $6 million.
— POLAND-RED BARON — Polish historian finds death certificate for the Red Baron, German WWI pilot. AP photo.
— PEOPLE-DIANE SAWYER — Diane Sawyer says this is her last week on ABC's 'Good Morning America.' AP photo.
— MUSIC-ONE-HIT WONDER — Billboard names Daniel Powter 'One-Hit Wonder' of the decade for his 'Bad Day.' AP photo.
MULTIMEDIA:
Notable Photos:
— DENMARK CLIMATE, ANS123: A delegate walks by light installation at the entrance of the Bella centre at the Climate Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark.
— CLIMATE EPA, DCMC106: Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson makes an announcement on climate policy during a news conference in Washington.
— AFHANISTAN AKCF102: An Afghan girl is given medication by U.S. Navy medical personnel at a free clinic in Khan Neshin in the volatile province of Helmand, southern Afghanistan.
— US TURKEY, DCSW104: President Barack Obama listens as Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during their meeting in the Oval Office of the White House.
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