Fifteen Appointees Have Waited an Average of 214 Days for Senate Confirmation  —  WASHINGTON -After facing months of Republican obstruction to administration nominees, President Obama announced his intent to recess appoint fifteen nominees to fill critical administration posts that have been left vacant …

Obama names 15 recess appointments, including union lawyer  —  President Barack Obama on Saturday wielded his recess appointment powers for the first time, clearing 15 nominees to assume posts that have remained vacant for months due to insurmountable congressional roadblocks.

In the faces of Tea Party shouters, images of hate and history  —  The angry faces at Tea Party rallies are eerily familiar.  They resemble faces of protesters lining the street at the University of Alabama in 1956 as Autherine Lucy, the school's first black student, bravely tried to walk to class.

With No Jobs, Plenty of Time for Tea Party  —  SOUTH BEND, Ind. — When Tom Grimes lost his job as a financial consultant 15 months ago, he called his congressman, a Democrat, for help getting government health care.  —  The latest on President Obama, his administration and other news from Washington and around the nation.

Pope faces another wave of scandal  —  The head of the Catholic church is bracing himself for a new round of allegations by victims of paedophile priests — in Italy  —  Pope Benedict XVI is facing growing pressure over his handling of paedophile priests as new cover-ups come to light in Italy …