WASHINGTON (AP) -- Following a survey of U.S. troops and their families, a Pentagon study group has concluded the military can lift the ban on gays serving openly in uniform with only minimal and isolated incidents of risk to the current war efforts, The Washington Post reported Wednesday.

WASHINGTON — In a politically incendiary plan, the bipartisan leaders of President Barack Obama's deficit commission proposed curbs in Social Security benefits, deep reductions in federal spending and higher taxes for millions of Americans Wednesday to stem a flood of red ink that they said threatens the nation's very future.

President Obama is now in his third country in as many days after landing in Seoul, South Korea. The President was in Indonesia yesterday, and India the day before that.
The Skanner News Video

The former fun seekers of the Carnival Splendor are cruising again, but just barely. After two days adrift, the ship began moving again Tuesday when the first of several Mexican tugboats arrived.
 
The Skanner News Video

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Corpses, cancer patients and diseased lungs: These are some of the images the federal government plans for larger, graphic warning labels that will take up half of each cigarette package.
The images are part of a new campaign announced by the Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday to reduce tobacco use, which is responsible for about 443,000 deaths per year.

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- A cruise ship stranded offshore with 4,500 passengers and crew must be towed slowly into a Mexican port and will not arrive until at least Wednesday night, the Coast Guard said Tuesday.

NEW ORLEANS – Critics of a presidential commission's preliminary findings that largely supported BP's internal probe of the Gulf oil spill questioned Monday how anyone could suggest money wasn't put ahead of safety in the days before the disaster.

JAKARTA, Indonesia – After two years of waiting, Indonesians are finally getting the chance to welcome back their adopted son. But the euphoria that swept the predominantly Muslim country after Barack Obama's election victory has been replaced by a dose of reality.
 

MUMBAI, India (AP) — Indian and U.S. companies have discussed or signed over $14.9 billion in deals around President Barack Obama's trip that will support 53,670 U.S. jobs, the White House said.

The prolonged recession has claimed yet another favorite American pastime – leisure shopping.
The Skanner News Video