Seattle Post-Intelligencer: AP

Auto aid effort collapses _ December reprieve?
WASHINGTON -- The $25 billion rescue plan for the auto industry, desperately sought by Detroit's beleaguered Big Three, collapsed Thursday as Congress drew the line at one more bailout and Democrats said they wouldn't even consider it until the companies produced a convincing plan for rebuilding their once-mighty industry. (Updated 4:18 p.m. PT)

Obama looks at border governor for homeland spot
WASHINGTON -- Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, President-elect Barack Obama's top choice to run the Homeland Security Department, is tough on illegal immigration, child abuse and Republicans. (Updated 4:16 p.m. PT)

The year 2025: Oil, dollar out; Russia, Islam in
WASHINGTON -- Global warming could be a boon to Russia, a European country could be overrun by organized crime and the U.S. dollar - and the United States itself- could further decline in importance during the next two decades, says a U.S. intelligence report with predictions for the world in 2025. (Updated 4:07 p.m. PT)

Congress rushes to extend jobless benefits
WASHINGTON -- Jarred by new jobless alarms, Congress raced to approve legislation Thursday to keep unemployment checks flowing through the December holidays and into the new year for a million or more laid-off Americans whose benefits are running out. (Updated 4:04 p.m. PT)

Obama is 1st Columbia graduate to become president
WASHINGTON -- It's taken two and a half centuries but Columbia College, one of the oldest in the nation, finally will have one of its alumni in the Oval Office. (Updated 3:30 p.m. PT)

US contractors lose immunity in Iraq security deal
WASHINGTON -- Thousands of contractors, both private Americans and non-Iraqi foreigners working in key roles for the United States in Iraq, will lose immunity and be subject to Iraqi law under new security arrangements, Bush administration officials say. (Updated 3:22 p.m. PT)

Who's in the running for Obama administration jobs
It's Washington's favorite parlor game during a presidential transition: trying to figure out who'll land a top spot in the new administration. President-elect Barack Obama is weighing an array of Washington insiders and outsiders, including some Republicans, for Cabinet and other top positions, according to Democratic officials. (Updated 3:19 p.m. PT)

Waxman topples Dingell; House Dems go greener
WASHINGTON -- Democrats steered the House toward more aggressively tackling global warming and other environmental problems Thursday, toppling veteran Michigan Rep. John Dingell, a staunch supporter of Detroit automakers, from an important energy panel in favor of California liberal Rep. Henry Waxman. (Updated 3:13 p.m. PT)

Judge orders release of 5 terror suspects at Gitmo
WASHINGTON -- A federal judge on Thursday ordered the release of five Algerians held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and the continued detention of a sixth in a major blow to the Bush administration's strategy to keep terror suspects locked up without charges. (Updated 3:07 p.m. PT)

Stevens gives last Senate speech as staffers weep
WASHINGTON -- "Uncle Ted" Stevens, an old-style Senate giant and the chamber's longest-serving Republican, delivered his swan song address and yielded the floor for the final time Thursday. He was saluted by his colleagues as a staunch friend and teacher. (Updated 3:06 p.m. PT)

Additional headlines:
- Gates seen more likely to stay as Pentagon chief
- Former Congress aide pleads guilty to hiding gifts
- Dems: Napolitano emerges for Homeland Security job
- HIV tests not yet as routine as cholesterol checks
- Byrd, Senate's longest-serving member, turns 91
- Rep. Linda Sanchez expecting her first child
- Napolitano is no stranger to Washington scandals
- DC transit system expects inaugural crowds
- Former Hill aide pleads guilty to hiding gifts
- Regulating swap transactions blamed for meltdown
- Lockerbie families say compensation complete
- Bush seeks to bolster economic plan at APEC
- Report says CIA witheld info from White House
- Napolitano is no stranger to Washington scandals
- US panel warns of Chinese espionage
- Bush, Olmert to hold final meeting in office
- Longtime Senate spending leaders departing
- Panel: China has accelerated computer espionage
- Perino: Bush would sign jobless benefits extension
- Dems: Napolitano emerges for Homeland Security job
- Conservatives call on Bush to free Muslim Uighurs
- Senate takes last run at longer jobless benefits
- Romney adamantly against auto industry bailout
- Dems look to stop endangered species rule changes
- On Capitol Hill, campaign rivals take orientation
- Obama seeks reforms in talk with UN chief
- Bailout with a price: Chapter 11 bankruptcy
- Holder's likely nomination revives pardon furor
- Black caucus says no special relationship to Obama

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2008
- Bush set to relax endangered species rules
- Finger-pointing begins as Senate nixes auto vote
- Former top officials urge stronger ties to UN
- Justice, NYPD feuding over terrorist surveillance
- Polish FM wants missile defense signal from Obama
- Shift in bailout plan raises oversight questions
- Boehner re-elected House GOP leader
- Obama White House could be green, high-tech
- Gates, Rice defend US-Iraq security agreement
- Will the Obamas turn the White House green?
- FBI offers reward for ecoterrorism suspects
- Pentagon defends military effort against pirates
- Daschle returns to Washington spotlight with Obama
- Sen. Clinton weighing secretary of state post
- Gates, Rice defend US-Iraq security agreement
- Insurers make pitch for health coverage mandate
- Will Clinton pardon of tax fugitive haunt Holder?
- Dem officials: Daschle accepts HHS Cabinet post
- Sen. Clinton weighing secretary of state post
- Daschle biography
- Wanted: Safe US city with 20,000 hotel rooms
- Democratic officials: Daschle accepts HHS post
- Beau Biden will not accept Senate appointment
- Sources: Decorated US agent in drug arrest
- Source: Holder informally offered, accepts AG job
- Bush reopens renovated American history museum
- Dem sources: Clinton to help Hillary get State job
- Beau Biden will not accept Senate appointment
- Auto dealers bring local angle to bailout fight
- Clinton bumps up against Senate seniority rules
- Hard sell: Detroit links bailout, national defense
- Obama to usher in major shift in trade policy
- Joint Chiefs head says war stresses may be growing

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2008
- Broad drilling ban to stand
- Clinton Foundation raised more than $124M in 2007
- Dems give Lieberman wrist slap over backing McCain
- Obama girls get to see their new White House rooms
- INSIDE WASHINGTON: Bush picks get new careers
- Bush plans to attend Army-Navy game on Dec. 6
- Steps proposed to ease air travel congestion
- Official: Terrorism, water shortages likely
- Report urges Obama name full-time nuclear adviser
- Obama snags Hill insider for White House team
- Stevens: 1 eye on Alaska, a second on the Senate
- McCain backer Lieberman keeps committee chair
- Top intel analyst said to be leaving post
- VA says it can handle strains of new GI Bill
- House member argues for immunity from lawsuit
- Top US military officer: Taliban gains upper hand
- Jurors says Stevens hurt his case by testifying
- Bush trying again to stem holiday flight delays
- Chief justice's father dies after long illness
- FDA looks at risks of cosmetic face fillers
- Obama, McCain pledge to work together for reform
- Ford chief defends how company has been operated
- Union prez: Teacher pay tied to performance works

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2008
- Obama advisers: No charges likely vs interrogators
- 50 percent more US children went hungry in 2007
- Judges throws out contempt order against reporter
- Obama, Biden speaks with world leaders
- 'Rules of the road' set for oil shale drilling
- People struggling against hunger by state
- Bush welcomes US Ryder Cup team to White House
- Obama solicits donations for CA wildfire victims
- Nominee for overseer of bailout faces senators
- Bush bestows medals on administration members, too
- Auto bailout: A Washington issue beyond lobbying?
- Obama solicits donations for CA wildfire victims
- Stalemate dims prospects for $25B auto bailout
- Biden speaks with world leaders
- Hill sources: Treasury won't use full bailout
- Bill would ban sale, forgery of inauguration tix
- More security for US-bound private planes
- Competing Democratic, GOP auto bailout plans
- Spitzer case prosecutor Michael Garcia leaving job
- Bush calls Gadhafi to laud claims settlement deal
- Judge orders Hatfill search warrant made public
- Kennedy back at work in Senate
- NY federal prosecutor leaving
- Paralyzed Calif. man loses high court appeal
- Supreme Court meeting Monday
- Obama may have to give up his beloved BlackBerry
- White House refines position on auto industry help
- Postal Service investigates boss's VIP mortgage

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2008
- Obama staff combines DC with Chicago
- Obamas won't get puppy before White House move
- Jesse Jackson concerned about Bush's last days
- Showdown looming in Congress of automaker rescue
- Bush hosts Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi
- Econ summit vows action _ takes few concrete steps

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2008
- Russia's Medvedev calls for talks with Obama
- Sarkozy backs down from missile defense criticism
- Key points in financial action plan
- Developing economies get to sit with the big boys
- What course for McCain, now back in the Senate?
- Text of Bush's remarks on economic summit
- Bush says summit leaders agree to cooperate better
- Declaration issued after meltdown summit
- SUMMIT NOTEBOOK: Double take on leaders' photo
- Bush's remarks upon arrival at summit

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2008
- What world leaders want from Washington summit
- Audit: Sharpton campaign owes US nearly $500,000
- Northeast lawmakers want Lieberman ousted as chair
- Who's coming to dinner? Two dozen world leaders
- Bush remarks at summit on financial meltdown
- Lawmakers blast shifts in financial bailout plan
- Army manipulated general's photo
- Bridge design flaws may not be as rare as thought
- No menu meltdown at financial meltdown summit
- Guests for the Sunday TV news shows
- Former DOD employee given probation
- Dunwoody becomes first female four-star general
- High court to rule when judges must bow out
- Michelle Obama gets sneak peak of WH closets
- Three big city mayors seek share of bailout
- Appeals court says tax scofflaw has to pay IRS
- Feds draft indictment against Blackwater guards
- Lungren challenges House GOP leader John Boehner
- Summary of actions Friday by the Supreme Court
- Group seeks records on missing White House e-mails
- Former Interior Dept. official gets probation
- THE INFLUENCE GAME: Lobbyists adapt to power shift
- Counterterrorism remains top Justice Dept. concern
- Security focused on protesters more than terror
- Justice Dept. OKs beer merger with slight hiccup
- High Court to decide limits on retrials
- Groups line up for another bailout
- Tube-side chat? Obama takes radio address online
- Big Three carmakers line up for another bailout
- NTSB to issue final cause in 2007 bridge collapse
- US advises EU to tread carefully with Russia
- Analysis: Few upsides for Bush in economic summit
- Coal plants jeopardized over climate

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2008
- VP-elect Biden hopes to be a hands-on No. 2
- Pentagon to brief Obama team on key decisions
- Probe finds FAA hid Dallas airport safety errors
- Labor Department finalizes new family leave rules
- NY Rep. Rangel hires accountant in ethics mess
- Utah coal plant permit blocked by EPA panel