Full Text: Republicans' Letter to Bernanke Questioning More Fed Action  —  The top four congressional Republicans sent the following letter to Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke Monday ahead of the central bank's two-day meeting that began today:  —  Dear Chairman Bernanke,

For immediate release  —  Information received since the Federal Open Market Committee met in August indicates that economic growth remains slow.  Recent indicators point to continuing weakness in overall labor market conditions, and the unemployment rate remains elevated.

Poll finds Obama losing ground to Republicans  —  WASHINGTON — Look out President Barack Obama.  Even Sarah Palin's gaining on you.  —  A new McClatchy-Marist poll finds that Obama looks increasingly vulnerable in next year's election, with a majority of voters believing he'll lose to any Republican …

Barack Obama joins Open Government Partnership for group photo  —  U.S. President Barack Obama waves while standing with other leaders during the Open Government Partnership event at the United Nations September 20 in New York City.  The United Nations General Assembly kicks off September 21 …

Obama, at U.N., Explains Rationale for Opposing Palestinian Statehood Bid  —  UNITED NATIONS — President Obama declared his opposition to the Palestinian Authority's bid for statehood in the Security Council on Wednesday, throwing the weight of the United States directly in the path …

In U.S., Significantly Fewer 18- to 25-Year-Olds Uninsured  —  Percentage of uninsured 26- to 64-year-olds increasing  —  WASHINGTON, D.C. — Fewer young adults in the U.S. reported lacking health insurance coverage in each of the three quarters since the new healthcare law …

R.E.M. Break Up After Three Decades  —  Legendary rock band have ‘called it a day’  —  R.E.M. have announced that they have broken up after 31 years together.  “As lifelong friends and co-conspirators, we have decided to call it a day as a band,” the band said in a statement on their official website today.

A Statement from Tony Bennett  —  A Statement from Tony Bennett (clarifying comments made on yesterday's Howard Stern program):  —  I am so grateful to be an American and as a World War II veteran, I was proud to fight to protect our values, which have made America the greatest country on the planet.

Ron Paul says he'd consider putting Dennis Kucinich in his Cabinet  —  Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) says he would consider putting the liberal congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) in his Cabinet if he wins the presidency in 2012.  —  Paul said his libertarian political philosophy helps him connect …

Marine Recruiters Visit Gay Center in Oklahoma  —  TULSA, Okla. — Master Sgt. Anthony Henry, a top Marine recruiting trainer for the southwestern United States, pulled up to Tulsa's biggest gay community center on Tuesday morning and left his Chevy where he could make a fast getaway.

Obama's Tax on Millionaires  —  President Obama's proposal for a new tax on millionaires echoes a call in many countries struggling with budget deficits and overwhelming debts to make the wealthy pay more.  —  Britain and France have imposed new taxes on their highest earners — and Italy …

Rick Perry's pledge to stand with Israel “as a Christian” is a gift to Islamic extremists.  —  Yesterday Rick Perry went to New York, stood with Jewish leaders, and declared his support for Israel.  He called it a democracy, a bulwark against terrorism, and a stalwart ally of the United States.

I got your class warfare right here … She's doing well in the early polls running against Scott Brown for his Senate seat.  If she doesn't get it, can we in the UK have first dibs on her?

Law gives huge pension perks to union leaders  —  In all, 23 expected to collect combined $56 million in their lifetimes  —  Dennis Gannon, then-president of the Chicago Federation of Labor, speaks with a bullhorn in April 2010 outside the Willis Tower as he joins around union members …

U.S. assembling secret drone bases in Africa, Arabian Peninsula, officials say  —  The Obama administration is assembling a constellation of secret drone bases for counterterrorism operations in the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula as part of a newly aggressive campaign …