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US President Barack Obama is hoping the summit will save his healthcare reforms. "I want to come back and have a large meeting, Republicans and Democrats, to go through, systematically, all the best ideas that are out there and move it forward," he said. Photo: Getty Images

Obama's plan to shame Republicans in TV debate

Bring in the cameras, turn on the lights and perhaps the ever-squabbling politicians on Capitol Hill can be shamed into getting things moving again on overhauling America's astronomic healthcare system.

Shuttle to open new window on space

By Chris Macer in Florida

WITH a brilliant flash, the space shuttle Endeavour rocketed into orbit early yesterday on what is likely to be the last night-time launch for the programme.

Mum admits stabbing sons to death

By Paul J Weber in San Antonio

A 22-year-old woman stabbed her two young sons to death, then calmly held her wrists out to police officers who arrived at her home telling them, "I killed my babies."

Powder scare at NY offices

SEVEN people were exposed to a suspicious white powder in a US federal building in lower Manhattan yesterday, the New York Fire Department said.

Al-Qa'ida will launch attack on US 'within months'

By Tony Hays in New York

Al-Qa'ida will launch an attack on America in the next three to six months, intelligence chiefs told the US Congress last night.

Family's Toyota death-crash call released

By Alexandra Frean and Robert Lea in London

THE final moments of a family killed in a car crash apparently caused by a faulty accelerator on a Toyota vehicle have been made public as lawyers challenge the company's safety record.

UN warns of violent upheaval in Haiti

By Dean Alexander in Port-au-Prince

THE UN warned last night that Haiti was sinking into potentially violent chaos as people grow frustrated at the slow pace of aid getting through.

Scientologists arrive in force

By Will Pavia in Port-au-Prince

It has Roman Catholics and voodoo spiritualists, Protestants, Rastafarians, Jews and Baha'is. Now Haiti, a nation brimming with piety, looks set to be endowed with another belief system: the Scientologists say that they are here to stay.

Fate of US missionaries to be decided by Haiti judge

By Mica Rosenberg and Joseph Guyler Delva in Port-Au-Prince

HAITIAN authorities yesterday questioned a group of 10 US missionaries accused of illegally trying to take children out of the quake-shattered Caribbean country.

Obama's $1.56 trillion budget to boost jobs

By Alex Spillius in Washington

US PRESIDENT Barack Obama forecast a record budget deficit of $1.56 trillion (€1.12tn) for 2010 -- worse even than the White House's prediction made just a week ago -- as red ink threatened to submerge his leadership and reforms such as health care.