Timothy Geithner: Derivatives Blindsided Government

U.S. - The huge amount of money tied up in complex derivative transactions helped cripple the economy, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner told lawmakers Friday as he laid out a case for greater government control over a generally unregulated sector of the financial markets.

Obama, Pope Take Center Stage At Vatican

Obama sat down with Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican on Friday for a meeting in which frank but constructive talks were expected between two men who agree on helping the poor but disagree on abortion and stem cell research.

U.S. Health Care: Conservative Democrats Break Ranks

U.S. - Conservative House Democrats are demanding significant changes before they can support a sweeping health care overhaul, forcing the House to join the Senate in delaying action on President Barack Obama's top domestic priority.

Roland Burris Won't Seek Full Senate Term

U.S. - Roland Burris gambled that he could accept a U.S. Senate appointment from a political pariah and still be seen as an honest, hardworking public servant. He lost. Burris was permanently tainted when he happily took the offer from Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich just three weeks after Blagojevich was arrested for trying to sell a Senate seat to the highest bidder. He fought waves of criticism, opposition from fellow Democrats, court battles and even a perjury investigation.

Obama: G-8 Leaders Concerned About Iran Nukes

G-8 SUMMIT - President Barack Obama said Friday the international community is "not going to just wait indefinitely" for Iran to renounce an interest in developing nuclear weapons.

Obama, Libyan Leader Kadhafi Shake Hands

US President Barack Obama shook hands warmly with Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi, long reviled in Washington. The landmark handshake took place as leaders from major economic powers and emerging nations prepared to take a group photo at a summit in L'Aquila, central Italy.

Obama: Full Economic Recovery 'A Ways Off'

President Barack Obama said Friday the world apparently has averted economic collapse but a "full recovery is still a ways off."

Obama: U.S., Moscow Must Lead On Nuclear Weapons

President Barack Obama says the United States and Russia must show they're "fulfilling their commitments" to lead global efforts to curb the spread of nuclear weapons.

Google Operating System 'Game Changers': Eric Schmidt

U.S. - Google Inc. Chief Executive Eric Schmidt can't wait for the Internet search leader's free operating system to debut next year. But he admits his excitement is a relatively recent phenomenon, having spent his first six years as Google's CEO trying to convince company co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin that developing an operating system to compete against Microsoft Corp.'s dominant Windows franchise would be a terrible idea.

Michael Jackson's Brain Saved In Glass Jar

U.S. - What do Michael Jackson and Albert Einstein have in common...besides pure genius? Both their brains are in a glass jar—at least for the time being. The Los Angeles County Coroner's Office says it's holding onto a section of the late King of Pop's brain as part of its investigation into how he died.

Obama, Pope Benedict XVI To Hold Meeting

The White House says it expects "frank" but constructive talks in President Barack Obama's meeting Friday with Pope Benedict XVI — two men who share similar views on helping the poor and pushing for Middle East peace but disagree on abortion and stem cell research.

Obama To Attend World Cup In South Africa?

President Barack Obama is hinting he'll attend next year's World Cup soccer championship in South Africa.  After a photograph with South African President Jacob Zuma on Friday, a reporter asked Obama if he'll attend the matches. "That's my goal," Obama replied.