Defense Secretary Leon Panetta becomes first US defense chief to visit Libya TRIPOLI, Libya (AP) — U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta arrived in Tripoli Saturday, taking advantage of the ouster of Moammar Gadhafi in an eight-month civil war to become the first Pentagon chief to set foot on Libyan soil. But Panetta has indicated that the U.S. will give more time to the Libyans to gain control of the militias that overthrew Gadhafi before determining how to help the fledgling... Read more

Down to the wire: Republican lawmakers insist on big oil pipeline in year-end tax-cut measure WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House backed away from a critical veto threat Friday as top Republicans in Congress served noticed they will extend expiring Social Security payroll tax cuts only if President Barack Obama swiftly decides the fate of a proposed oil pipeline that promises thousands of jobs. With Republicans talking tough and lawmakers from both parties anxious to leave for the holidays, Obama... Read more

Senate leaders reach down-to-wire agreement on extending payroll tax cuts, jobless benefits WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate leaders agreed on compromise legislation to extend Social Security payroll tax cuts and jobless benefits for two months while requiring President Barack Obama to accept Republican demands for a swift decision on the fate of an oil pipeline that promises thousands of jobs. A vote is expected Saturday on the measure, the last in a highly contentious year of divided government. Any deal would... Read more

Senate leaders reach down-to-wire agreement on extending payroll tax cuts, jobless benefits WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate leaders agreed on compromise legislation Friday night to extend Social Security payroll tax cuts and jobless benefits for two months while requiring President Barack Obama to accept Republican demands for a swift decision on the fate of an oil pipeline that promises thousands of jobs. A vote is expected Saturday on the measure, the last in a highly contentious year of divided government. House... Read more

CAIRO (AP) — The U.S. military’s departure from Iraq opens the door to expanded Iranian influence in the Middle East, though that door could close fast if Iran’s closest Arab ally Bashar Assad falls from power in Syria. That’s among the uncertainties looming over the Middle East in the wake of President Barack Obama’s decision to remove all U.S. troops by the end of this month, fulfilling a campaign promise to end the unpopular war and abandoning efforts to negotiate... Read more

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Pennsylvania-born cardinal who was the country’s voice of the Vatican’s midnight Christmas Mass for 25 years has been laid to rest at a Philadelphia cathedral following a funeral Mass. Cardinal John Foley was remembered Friday for his humility, intelligence and humor in a homily delivered by New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan. Foley died Dec. 11 after a battle with leukemia. He was 76. Besides narrating the Christmas Mass for U.S. audiences, Foley was editor-in-chief of Philadelphia’s... Read more

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — As many as 20,000 children endured sexual abuse at Dutch Catholic institutions over the past 65 years, and church officials failed to adequately address it or help the victims, according to a long-awaited investigative report. The findings released Friday detailed some of the most widespread abuse yet linked to the Roman Catholic Church, which has been under fire for years over abuse allegations in Europe, the United States and elsewhere. Based on a survey of... Read more