Health overhaul could stall over government role

The search for agreement on health care may be short lived.

The flashpoint is a proposal that would give Americans the option of buying medical coverage through a government plan. President Barack Obama and many Democrats have endorsed it, as one part of a broader health overhaul. On Saturday, Republicans laid down a challenge.

"I'm concerned that if the government steps in, it will eventually push out the private health care plans millions of Americans enjoy today," Republican Rep. Roy Blunt said in the Republican weekly radio address.

Blunt, who will play a leading role in the debate, warned: "This could cause your employer to …

Goteborg's past rich with sports

GOTEBORG, Sweden - It is a pity William "Refrigerator" Perry,slimming in seclusion in the United States, will miss the first profootball game in continental Europe, because his figure would evokememories of this city's hero and founder.

The story goes that King Gustav Adolph II of Sweden establishedGoteborg by climbing atop an outcropping of rock, pointing at thesite beneath him, and declaring imperiously: "The city shall behere."

The king was built like a defensive tackle who had failed tomake his prescribed weight. There was no coach to tell the king hecouldn't play because he was too fat, so Gustav Adolph waded intoscrimmage in the Thirty Years' War and was …

Australian Open Notebook

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — In the absence of Serena Williams, there were concerns that this Australian Open might be a bit lackluster on the women's side.

For years, Williams has been the dominant player on the court and one of the game's more entertaining personalities. At the start of the tournament, one Australian newspaper devoted an empty space in its sports pages to Williams, a tribute to all the things it would miss writing about with the defending champion out due to a foot injury.

Turns out, there was no shortage of memorable moments and solid storylines. And all of a sudden, it seemed like everyone was a comedian.

Two of the biggest entertainers turned out to …

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Sometime into his long detention by China's feared state security agents, American geologist Xue Feng had something to show U.S. consular officials on their monthly visit. He rolled up his sleeve, revealing the burns where his interrogators pressed lit cigarettes into his arm.

Xue also had something to say: He wanted his previously unpublicized detention made public in hopes that the outcry would win his release.

But Xue did not get his wish. His wife balked, as did the U.S.-based consultancy that employed him until months before he was detained, both saying that going public might hurt rather than help his case. The U.S. Embassy, caught between his desire …

Illinois joblessness lowest since 1979

The unemployment rate in Illinois fell to its lowest level since1979 in June, as the national rate edged up slightly.

This summer's heat wave apparently boosted some sectors of theeconomy. Strong hiring for jobs in construction, amusement andrecreation parks, summer camps and membership groups such as the YMCAand other outdoor activities helped reduce the state's jobless rateto 6.4 percent, down from 6.6 percent in the previous month,according to the Illinois Department of Employment Security. A yearago in July, the state's unemployment rate was 7.3 percent.

Employment was stable or gained during the month in all sectorsexcept government and transportation. …

Ties Like Me models Detroit fashions from Joe Faris

FERNDALE- Ties Like Me, a professional networking community for Michigan LGBTs, welcomed "Project Runway" alum Joe Faris from Motor City Denim Company as sponsor of the month at an Aug. 17 fashion show at Via Nove. Faris used Ties members as models, and Ties member Scott Foltz from Azenza Salon & Spa styled hair and make-up. Rich Wright of Wrighteous Jewelry provided his metal creations for the models to wear. Wright has worked with artists such as Kid Rock and Eminem. For more photos, check out our website at …

InBev to ask Anheuser-Busch shareholders to remove company's board

Brewer InBev SA has turned up the heat in its US$46 billion unsolicited bid for its U.S. rival Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc., saying Monday it will take action to ask shareholders to remove the company's entire board.

It proposed its own board for Anheuser, saying the company's shareholders should have "a direct voice" on merging with InBev.

InBev said it would file a preliminary consent solicitation statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission later Monday asking Anheuser's board to consult shareholders about the possibility of firing the 13 current board members.

Shareholders have a right to sue a company's board of directors …