Ap News In Brief

Afghanistan is on hold awaiting decisions in Kabul and White House

KABUL (AP) Its protracted presidential election has finally been decided, but Afghanistan is on hold.

President Barack Obama hasn't said how many troops he'll send. Speculation abounds about whether Afghan President Hamid Karzai will assemble a Cabinet of reformers or political friends. It's unclear whether humanitarian work will be curtailed by the U.N.'s decision to relocate several hundred workers out of the country after five staffers were killed in an attack.

And overhanging the uncertainty is the question on everyone's mind: Will security in this impoverished nation worsen or improve as fall turns to winter?

"God knows what will happen," Ghulam Sakhi Wardak said Tuesday, standing beside concrete security blast walls his company makes on the outskirts of Kabul. "So far, the attacks have not decreased."

Asked what he wants from the next five years of the Karzai administration, Wardak replied, "A government that serves the people with total honesty."

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A Great Wall: A reflective Obama takes a tourist break amid Asian diplomacy

BEIJING (AP) President Barack Obama absorbed history's expanse Wednesday from atop the Great Wall of China, a manmade wonder of such enormity that Obama found himself putting daily life in perspective.

"It's magical," Obama said, walking down a ramp alone, his hands in his pockets. "It reminds you of the sweep of history and our time here on earth is not that long. We better make the best of it."

A must-see for presidents from President Richard Nixon on, the Great Wall was one of Obama's major sightseeing stops during his diplomatic tour of Asia. He later traveled to Seoul, South Korea, the final stop of his eight-day trip.

Dressed in a winter jacket against a biting wind at the Great Wall, Obama led a knot of people for a half-hour jaunt up the crenelated wall toward a watchtower, a restored section originally built 500 years ago.

Obama walked down the last ramp by himself in a choreographed moment for photographers. White House aides were exultant afterward that "the shot" they had planned turned out perfectly.

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Small businesses paring back health insurance plans to counter escalating premium costs

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) Faced with high health insurance costs, a North Carolina brokerage passed the buck on to its employees, a Texas public relations firm switched from group insurance to stipends, and a Missouri travel agency let its workers walk away instead paying for insurance.

Across the country, businesses already strapped by the economy to turn a profit are sacrificing or scaling back employee health insurance plans because of their escalating costs. The crunch has particularly socked smaller employers, who have become a centerpiece in the debate over how to overhaul the nation's health care system.

In recent weeks, small business owners have pleaded their case to the White House and Congress. Top Democrats in both the House and Senate have announced probes into how health insurers price their policies for small businesses. And lawmakers have proposed a variety of insurance rating changes, mandates and tax breaks to try to control costs.

That comes against a backdrop of some stark statistics:

Small businesses are paying an average 18 percent more than the largest firms for comparable health insurance policies, according to a study financed by the Commonwealth Fund.

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Urban League and On Deck Capital partner to offer loans to small city businesses

PHILADELPHIA (AP) The National Urban League is teaming with a small-business financial specialist to offer loans to companies unable to get approved by banks.

On Deck Capital will provide loans through Urban League local affiliates, starting in Philadelphia and Los Angeles and then expanding across the country, it was announced Wednesday.

The program offers one-year loans ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 at interest rates of 18 to 36 percent. All the loans must be repaid through automatic daily "micro-payments" from the business' bank accounts.

The program will focus on urban areas with high concentrations of minority businesses and help create new jobs there, said Patricia A. Coulter, president and CEO of the Urban League of Philadelphia.

"In today's really tight market, credit has dried up, banks are not lending," she said. "It's even more critical for small and minority businesses to have access to capital."

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W.Va. Sen. Robert Byrd at 56 years, 320 days becomes longest-serving member of Congress ever

WASHINGTON (AP) The Senate is marking a new milestone Wednesday when West Virginia Sen. Robert C. Byrd becomes the longest-serving lawmaker in congressional history.

"I look forward to serving you for the next 56 years and 320 days," Byrd said in a statement marking the occasion. His only regret, Byrd said, was that his late wife, Erma, was not there with him.

"I know that she is looking down from the heavens smiling at me and saying congratulations, my dear Robert but don't let it go to your head," Byrd said.

It was unclear whether Byrd would be able to attend Wednesday's session.

Setting records is old news to the white-maned Democratic lawmaker. Since June 12, 2006, Byrd has been the longest-serving senator and later that year he was elected to an unprecedented ninth term. His colleagues have elected him to more leadership positions than any senator in history. He has cast more than 18,000 votes and, despite fragile health that has kept him from the Senate floor during much of this year, has a nearly 98 percent attendance record over the course of his career.

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Afghan capital tightens security ahead of inauguration aimed at pushing past tainted election

KABUL (AP) Security forces increased patrols and helicopter flyovers in the Afghan capital Wednesday, bracing for possible militant attacks during the ceremony that will cement President Hamid Karzai's tumultuous re-election victory.

Karzai will be sworn in for his second five-year term Thursday, with many in the international community hoping he will introduce solid reforms and pave the way for a Cabinet house-cleaning to rid the administration of corrupt officials.

The inauguration comes amid repeated calls and threats from the international community that he reform his government following an election so spoiled by fraud that it took two and half months to resolve.

The U.S. has said that is will not provide any civilian aid to the Afghan government unless it can ensure accountability for the money. Both the U.S. and other NATO countries have also said they are weighing the rampant government corruption and mismanagement in decisions over committing more troops.

Even the ceremony itself is fraught with potential danger. Dignitaries from 42 countries are scheduled to attend, and the event could be a target for militants eager to attack the president and his allies.

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Kidnapper's apology, guilty pleas could reap forgiveness from Elizabeth Smart and family

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) An apology and a guilty plea to federal charges will likely bring the woman who kidnapped Elizabeth Smart the very thing she says she wants forgiveness from Smart and her family.

"Absolutely," Elizabeth's father, Ed Smart said Tuesday after Wanda Eileen Barzee pleaded guilty to charges of kidnapping and unlawful transportation of a minor in U.S. District Court.

"We all make mistakes in life," he said. "If we can't forgive each other, heaven help us."

In a public apology, Barzee, 64, said she was "humbled as I realize how much Elizabeth Smart has been victimized and the role that I played in it."

"I am so sorry, Elizabeth, for all the pain and suffering I have caused you and your family," Barzee said, taking an emotional pause between sentences. "It is my hope that you will be able to find it in your heart to forgive me."

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Ford, Subaru, VW collect 'top safety pick' awards from insurance industry group

WASHINGTON (AP) Ford, Subaru and Volkswagen sit atop the insurance industry's annual list of the safest new vehicles, according to a closely watched assessment used by car companies to lure safety-conscious consumers to showrooms.

The Virginia-based Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded its "top safety pick" on Wednesday to 19 passenger cars and eight sport utility vehicles for the 2010 model year. The institute substantially reduced the number of awards compared with 2009, because of tougher requirements for roof strength.

Ford Motor Co. and its Volvo unit received the most awards with six, followed by five awards apiece for Japanese automaker Subaru and German automaker Volkswagen AG and its Audi unit.

Chrysler Group LLC received four awards followed by two each for Honda Motor Co. and General Motors Co.

Toyota Motor Corp., BMW AG, Mazda Motor Corp. and Mitsubishi Motors Corp. were shut out in the annual IIHS review.

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3 celebs advance to finals after a model dancer leaves 'Dancing With the Stars'

LOS ANGELES (AP) Model Joanna Krupa is leaving "Dancing With the Stars."

The Poland-born beauty was eliminated from the hit ABC show Tuesday.

She and professional partner Derek Hough consistently earned high scores on the hit ABC show. They collected an impressive 81 out of 90 points for their performances on Monday's episode, landing them in second place during the semifinals. But fans failed to keep the couple afloat with their votes.

Viewer votes are combined with judges' scores to determine which contestant is eliminated each week.

"It's been such an amazing experience," Krupa said after learning her fate. "I've grown as a person. Thank you for giving me the opportunity."

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Kobe gets 100th 40-point game, Lakers avoid rare 3-game skid with 106-93 win over Pistons

LOS ANGELES (AP) Kobe Bryant scored 40 points for the 100th time in his career, and the Los Angeles Lakers avoided a rare three-game losing streak with a 106-93 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night.

Andrew Bynum had 17 points and 12 rebounds for the Lakers, who took a 28-point lead before surviving Detroit's impressive fourth-quarter rally to avoid their first three-game skid in nearly two years, following back-to-back losses to Denver and Houston.

Bryant didn't appear to be slowed by his strained groin while scoring 27 points in the middle two quarters before reaching 40 on a 3-pointer with 19 seconds left. With four 40-point games already this season after getting just four all last year, Kobe trails only Wilt Chamberlain (271) and Michael Jordan (173) in 40-point games in NBA history.

Will Bynum scored 10 of his 24 points in the final period for the Pistons, who opened a four-game West Coast trip with their second straight loss. Detroit chopped the Lakers' lead to 98-91 with 1:55 to play before former Michigan State guard Shannon Brown made three free throws and a soaring dunk to seal it.

Bryant led the Lakers in scoring for the 10th time in 11 games. Andrew Bynum also was steady again, delivering his eighth game with at least 10 points and 10 rebounds.