US firearms chief confirms criticism of the agency

WASHINGTON (AP) — The head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives says that in at least one instance during a now-controversial gunrunning investigation his agents did not intercept high-powered weapons when they could and should have.

Kenneth Melson's acknowledgment is the first by any senior ATF leader that confirms some of the criticism that congressional Republicans have been leveling at Operation Fast and Furious. The objections have resulted in congressional hearings and an inquiry by the U.S. Justice Department's inspector general.

Melson's comments were quoted in a letter Monday to Attorney General Eric Holder from two Republican lawmakers, Sen. …

AP-GfK Poll: Americans seek silver lining in 2010

The bank account is thin, but the future looks pretty good.

That, oddly enough, is the view of many Americans who predict 2010 will be a better year than this one, even if they fear that the U.S. economy and their own financial circumstances won't improve.

A whopping 82 percent are optimistic about what the new year will bring for their families, according to the latest AP-GfK poll. That sunny outlook seems at odds with other findings.

Nearly two-thirds think their family finances will worsen or stay about the same next year. And fewer than half think the nation's economy will improve in 2010, even though Americans rated 2009 as a huge …

Funds face a dilemma as cash keeps coming

The mutual fund industry may be getting too big for its own good.

In the last week, the $10.2 billion Vanguard Primecap Fund andthe $4.2 billion Janus Overseas Fund shut their doors to newinvestors. Investors, they said, were throwing so much cash at themso fast that they couldn't invest it reasonably.

This was the second time Vanguard Primecap closed. The firstwas in March, 1995, when the fund had $2 billion in assets.Earlier this year, Fidelity Investments closed several popularfunds to new investors, and some analysts and industry executives saymore funds should do likewise. Cash is flowing into stock funds at arecord clip of about $22 billion a month so far …

Pakistani field hockey umpire banned for 2 years

ISLAMABAD (AP) — The Pakistan Hockey Federation says it has banned one of its umpires for two years after he played for Azerbaijan in an international tournament in Italy.

Waqas Ahmed Butt scored a golden goal for Azerbaijan in the final against Italy during EuroHockey Championship …

In all-star game message, Obama pitches service

It's another call for public service from President Barack Obama.

He says all Americans should help out in their communities. That could mean reading to children or repairing basketball courts.

The basketball-playing president taped a message for Sunday night's NBA All-Star Game in Phoenix. The White House released excerpts ahead …

Extra patrols to keep the streets safer

An initiative to keep a lid on drink-related trouble in Bath'scity centre will see additional police taking to the streets thiswinter.

Starting this weekend, revellers out on a Friday and Saturdaynight will see up to four extra PCs patrolling the streets with aview to making the centre a safer place.

A similar move in the summer saw a 43 per cent reduction in anti-social and violent crime.

The funding for the initiative is part of a grant Bath and NorthEast Somerset Council has negotiated with the Government to helpreduce violent crime in the area.

This will …

Between Iraq and a Hard Place-Bremer's Story

Between Iraq and a Hard Place-Bremer's Story My Year in Iraq: The Struggle to Build a Future of Hope. Ambassador L. Paul Bremer III with Malcolm McConnell. Simon & Schuster. 419 pages; black & white photographs; index; $27.

They had a great term for describing the nature of postconflict operations after World War II. They called it the disease and unrest formula. Basically, the planners believed there were three tasks that had to be accomplished during an occupation. These were essential to avoiding mass death from disease or starvation and preventing the country from devolving into chaos and revolution. The three tasks were: avert a humanitarian crisis; establish a …