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Unemployment rises in 30 states in January (AP)

AP - Unemployment rose in 30 states in January, the Labor Department said Wednesday, evidence that jobs remain scarce in most regions of the country.

Pelosi: Dems close on health care agreement (AP)

AP - Democrats claimed momentum Wednesday in their drive to enact the sweeping health care legislation sought by President Barack Obama, citing near agreement on crucial issues despite persistent Republican efforts to knock them offstride.

Bank of America to stop debit card overdrafts (AP)

AP - Bank of America customers will soon be unable to spend more than they have in the accounts linked to their debit cards. It's a step that may become a common move ahead of new regulations limiting overdraft fees.

A policy change on abortion, but how radical? (AP)

AP - President Barack Obama's health care bill would change federal policy on abortion, but it would not open the spigot of taxpayer dollars as some abortion opponents fear.

Oil struggles for clear direction from $81.50 (Reuters)

Reuters - Oil failed to find momentum in either direction for a clear move away from $81.50 on Wednesday as investors waited for data on U.S. stocks or OPEC's monthly report ahead of next week's meeting to provide impetus.

Reconciliation bill will be hard for GOP to derail (AP)

AP - Democrats are tying the fate of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul to a fast-track process that will make the bill tough for Republicans to derail in the Senate. But GOP lawmakers will still be able to force votes and make arguments that could give them ammunition for November's congressional elections.

Behind the scenes, crafting the US no-fly list (AP)

AP - It starts with a tip, a scrap of intelligence, a fingerprint lifted from a suspected terrorist's home.

China Mobile buys 20% stake in mainland bank (AFP)

AFP - Phone giant China Mobile said Wednesday it will pay about 5.8 billion US dollars for a 20 percent stake in Shanghai Pudong Development Bank as part of its bid to enter the wireless banking market.

Soaring China home prices thwart ordinary buyers (AP)

AP - The luxury apartment buildings Yang Xuhua passes on her way to work are a daily reminder of her own frustrated efforts to buy a home. Prices for even modest apartments in Shanghai have soared, putting home purchases out of reach for white collar workers and professionals.

Lost in the ruins: Haiti's best and brightest (AP)

AP - They kept the books, had the training and fixed the computers. They were the educated few of Haiti, an up-and-coming generation of nurses, technicians, office managers and college students.

Obama pushes senators for climate bill (AP)

AP - President Barack Obama made a renewed push for a long-stalled climate and energy bill Tuesday, urging lawmakers at a White House meeting to pass a comprehensive bill this year.

HHS Sebelius exhorts insurers to get on board (AP)

AP - The head of the Health and Human Services Department is sketching out a stark choice for the nation's insurers: oppose reform and eventually lose customers, or work with the Obama administration to improve the legislation.
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Israel, Syria pursue nuclear-powered Mideast (AP)

AP - Is the Middle East about to go officially nuclear?

World stocks up modestly; pound takes another hit (AP)

AP - World stock markets mostly rose Wednesday, though trading was choppy as investors looked for direction a day after the one-year anniversary from recession-related lows. The pound meanwhile continued to decline after disappointing industrial production figures.

Obama: Greece, facing bad days, has US as ally (AP)

AP - President Barack Obama stood with Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou on Tuesday and pledged that the United States would work with its ally, even as Greece's enormous debts sparked frenzied trading.

House votes for faster tax breaks for Chile gifts (AP)

AP - The House has passed a bill that would allow taxpayers to write off charitable donations to Chile earthquake relief efforts when they file their 2009 taxes this spring.
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Oil prices rise to settle above $82 (AP)

AP - Oil settled above $82 on Wednesday after driving past $83 briefly following a government report that showed U.S. crude oil supplies didn't grow as much as analysts expected last week.

Tainted ingredient sold after salmonella found (AP)

AP - The company responsible for a ballooning recall of processed foods continued to manufacture and distribute a flavor-enhancing ingredient for a month after tests confirmed it was made with contaminated equipment, according to a Food and Drug Administration report.
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Euro rebounds, gains on dollar (AFP)

AFP - The euro staged a modest turnaround against the dollar Wednesday in featureless trading as dealers looked for signals on prospects for the world economy and a proposed European monetary fund.

First lady launches contest for healthy kids games (AP)

AP - First lady Michelle Obama challenged software and video game designers Wednesday to develop games and tools that get kids, especially 9- to 12-year-olds, excited about eating better and exercising more.