Kerry against troop surge

WASHINGTON - Sen. John Kerry declared Monday that he opposed sending more U.S. troops to Afghanistan unless the government and military there improve their performance, and said the top American military commander in the country was moving "too far, too fast" in recommending an increase of 44,000 more troops.

Negotiators pressing for public option

WASHINGTON - Senior Senate Democrats at work with White House officials on health care legislation are strongly considering a requirement for the federal government to sell insurance in direct competition with private industry, officials said Thursday, with individual states permitted to drop out of the system.

Amherst ready for 2 Gitmo detainees

AMHERST - Two detainees who have been held at the Guantanamo Bay military prison and are expected to be cleared for release could eventually make their home in or near Amherst.

The Select Board Monday endorsed, by a 2-1 margin, a petition warrant article called "the resolution to assist in the safe resettlement of cleared Guantanamo detainees."

Afghan runoff expected

KABUL - U.N.-backed fraud investigators on Monday threw out nearly a third of President Hamid Karzai's votes from the August election, undercutting his claim of victory and stepping up the pressure for him to accept a runoff.

President Barack Obama's administration has been holding off on a decision to send more troops to Afghanistan until a credible government is installed in Kabul.

Both U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon signaled on Monday that a resolution was near.

Mass. Senate hopefuls declare no reason for Afghan buildup

NORTH ANDOVER - All four Democratic candidates vying for the Senate seat left vacant by the death of Edward Kennedy said Sunday that they're leery of the escalation of troops in Afghanistan being weighed by President Barack Obama.

Social Security makes it official: No cost-of-living increase in 2010

WASHINGTON (AP) - There will be no cost-of-living increase for more than 50 million Social Security recipients next year, the first year without a raise since automatic adjustments were adopted in 1975.

Pelosi offers tough words for insurers

WASHINGTON - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi warned insurance companies on Thursday that health-care reform could cost the industry dearly through new fees, fewer regulatory protections and fresh competition from the federal government.