Chicago Inquirer

NATIONAL

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Obama nears compromise on Guantanamo trials

by Lucile Malandain

WASHINGTON -President Barack Obama appears near a compromise to allow military tribunals to move forward for the alleged September 11 plotters in exchange for a deal to close the Guantanamo Bay detention center.

House Democrats ban earmarks to corporations

by Andrew Taylor

WASHINGTON � House Democratic leaders announced Wednesday that they will ban the much-criticized practice of using annual spending bills to direct pet projects to for-profit companies that often return the favor with campaign contributions.

Pope denounces 'atrocious' Nigeria bloodshed

by Aminu Abubakar

JOS, Nigeria-Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday denounced the "atrocious" bloodshed in Nigeria after a massacre of Christian villagers, as police said 49 people would be charged over the killings.

Biden condemns Israel settlement move at Palestinian talks

by Joseph Krauss

RAMALLAH, West Bank-Vice President Joe Biden told Palestinian leaders on Wednesday that Washington will hold accountable any side that hurts peace prospects, pointedly citing Israel's settlement expansion plans.

SPORTS

Bolt, Williams win Sportsman, Sportswoman awards for 2009

ABU DHABI-Usain Bolt and Serena Williams won the 2010 Laureus sportsman and sportswoman awards on Wednesday at a ceremony in the Emirati capital of Abu Dhabi.

POLITICS

White House denies health drive could cost House

WASHINGTON-The White House denied Tuesday that Democrats could pay the heavy price of losing their House of Representatives majority in return for passing President Barack Obama's health reform bill.

EDUCATION

Serena to build more schools in Africa

NAIROBI -Tennis star and number one ranked female tennis player Serena Williams said on Wednesday she planned to help to build one new school every year in parts of Africa where education is beyond the reach of most children.

EDITORIAL

Victory at Last in Iraq seven years after Mission Accomplished

WASHINGTON -"Victory at Last," proclaims the magazine cover. Elections in Iraq, seven years after the US invasion, could belatedly prove former president George W. Bush right, Newsweek magazine suggests in its latest issue.