Cuba reinstates Christmas

HAVANA Nearly three decades after Christmas was canceled here,Cuba's Politburo said Tuesday that the holiday should be reinstated.

The declaration was a major concession to the Catholic Church,which is pushing to expand religious freedom in the tightlycontrolled Communist country.

The decision was spurred in part by Pope John Paul II's visit inJanuary. The pope urged President Fidel Castro to broaden the roleof religion in Cuban society. The recommendation is expected to beapproved by Castro's government within days.In a lengthy declaration that appeared Tuesday on the front pageof the Communist Party's official newspaper, Granma, the Politburoindicated that its …

BMW fined $3M for untimely 2010 recalls

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal safety regulators say automaker BMW has agreed to pay $3 million for delays in reporting safety defects and recalls to the government.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Friday that an examination of 16 recalls issued by BMW of North America LLC in 2010 found evidence of a number of instances in which the automaker failed to report safety defects and recalls to the …

Summary Box: Greece raises $2.04B in debt auction

WHAT HAPPENED: Greece raised euro1.625 billion ($2.04 billion) in a debt auction, its first since getting bailed out in May. The sale of 26-week treasury bills was oversubscribed 3.64 times _ reflecting strong investor interest.

WHY IT MATTERS: The sale was an important test of Greece's financial recovery effort amid continued …

Black History

Black Fact

Source: BlackFacts.com

February 22, 1888

Painter Horace Pippin born

In West Chester, Pennsylvania, Black painter Horace Pippin was born. Pippin is considered one of the major American painters of his period. One of his more significant works, "John Brown Going to His Hanging," is owned by …

Dems to Elect First Female House Speaker

WASHINGTON - Jubilant Democrats prepared to elect Rep. Nancy Pelosi as the first woman to run the House of Representatives as the party takes control of both chambers of Congress for the first time in 12 years.

House Democrats planned quick action on legislative priorities that included boosting both the minimum wage and stem cell research. Democrats also said they would pressure President Bush to bring the troops home from Iraq.

The new Congress was to convene at noon Thursday, with Democrats still adjusting to the trappings of power, while Republicans grappled with their new role in the minority.

Pelosi, taking over as House speaker, promised immediate steps to …

House hurries toward passage of econ stimulus bill

Moving with remarkable speed, the Democratic-controlled House lined up eagerly Wednesday to approve $819 billion in spending increases and tax cuts at the heart of President Barack Obama's economic recovery program. Republicans fought the bill as wasteful.

"We don't have a moment to spare," Obama declared at the White House as Democrats hastened to do his bidding.

A mere eight days after Inauguration Day, Speaker Nancy Pelosi heralded a new era. "The ship of state is difficult to turn," said the California Democrat. "But that is what we must do. That is what President Obama called us to do in his inaugural …

Royals sweep Orioles for the season

Kevin Seitzer hit a sacrifice fly in the 12th inning Thursdaynight, leading the host Kansas City Royals to a 6-5 victory overBaltimore and a 12-game season sweep of the Orioles.

With one out in the 12th, Bill Pecota singled and Kurt Stillwellsent him to third with another single. Seitzer then hit a fly ballto left, scoring Pecota with the winning run.

Jeff Montgomery (5-2) worked one inning for Kansas City's fifthstraight victory. Tom Niedenfuer (1-3) took the loss.

The Orioles tied the score 5-5 in the ninth. With one out,pinch hitter Ken Gerhart reached second base when his grounder wentthrough third baseman Seitzer's legs and was bobbled by left …