Political motive seen as HHS expands quality bonuses to health plans facing election-year cuts

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Millions of seniors in popular private insurance plans offered through Medicare will be getting a reprieve from some of the most controversial cuts in President Barack Obama's health care law.

In a policy shift critics see as political, the Health and Human Services department has decided to award quality bonuses to hundreds of Medicare Advantage plans rated merely average.

The $6.7 billion infusion could head off service cuts that would have been a headache for Obama and Democrats in next year's elections for the White House and Congress. More than half the roughly 11 million Medicare Advantage enrollees are in plans rated average.

House Democrat files suit forcing donor disclosure

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A top House Democrat is taking legal steps to force the names of political donors to be disclosed.

Maryland Rep. Chris Van Hollen filed a lawsuit against the Federal Election Commission Thursday, challenging a regulation allowing independent groups spending money on political campaigns to shield the identities of their donors.

Van Hollen's lawsuit was filed in federal district court in Washington.

Iran: Computer worm could have caused huge damage

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- A senior Iranian military official involved in investigating a mysterious computer worm targeting Iranian nuclear facilities and other industrial sites said Saturday the malware could have caused large-scale accidents and loss of life.

It first emerged in September that Iran was battling a powerful computer worm known as Stuxnet, which has the ability to send centrifuges - used in nuclear fuel production - spinning out of control. Its appearance and the suspicion that Israel and the U.S. might have been involved raised the prospect of covert attempts to thwart a nuclear program that the West fears is aimed at weapons production.

How Health Insurance Can Help You

Health insurance plans may seem like an added expenses that you might not really want. However, health insurance may be helpful for a list of argues. You can search through health insurance plans to get the greatest one for you, whether it is something that only covers the some and far-between doctor's visits you might want throughout the year, or disability coverage that takes into account any serious health issues that you must have. Health insurance, if it is the good plan, can assist as a hugely good separate of maintaining you healthy.

Smugglers find creative ways to move contraband

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- The package surprised even veteran law enforcement officials used to seeing all kinds of contraband smuggled into prisons: It was a child's coloring book, dedicated "to daddy" and mailed to a New Jersey inmate, with crayon-colored scribbling made from a paste containing drugs.

The discovery of the book last month prompted the Cape May County sheriff to warn others in law enforcement that smuggling techniques were reaching new levels.

In Pennsylvania last month, prosecutors disrupted a prescription drug smuggling ring that was mailing narcotics into prisons concealed under postage stamps.

A Consumer's Head to Health Care Modernize

The six-month capable age 26 on your health plan if he or she can not get coverage done a job. Recently policies can not refuse coverage for children capable age 19 based on pre-existing medical specifies. "Grandfathered" plans can, however, they also can adjust annual dollar circumscribes on coverage and ask patients to aid pay for a few preventive avails.

Most people in the individual market are anticipated to move to new plans by 2014. Analysts say most plans in the group market will belike have missed their "grandfathered" status because of alterations fixed to them.

Mahan loses his cushion but keeps lead at Doral

DORAL, Fla. (AP) -- Martin Kaymer is the new No. 1 in golf and getting the same kind of respect another No. 1 once did.

Never mind that Hunter Mahan had a one-shot lead going into the weekend of the Cadillac Championship after stumbling with a pair of bogeys in the final hour of his second round Friday for a 1-under 71.

It was the guy right behind him who made some players take notice.

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Libya oil chief: Production down 50 percent

CAIRO (AP) -- Libya's oil chief said Monday that production had been cut by around 50 percent, and argued it was "safe" for foreign oil workers to return after a mass exodus sparked by Moammar Gadhafi's increasingly violent campaign to retain control of the country.

The assurances by Shukri Ghanem, the head of the state-run National Oil Co. and Libya's de facto oil minister, came as uncertainty swirled about the state of the OPEC member's production and who was actually in control of the brunt of the nation's oil. Libya sits atop Africa's largest proven reserves.

The country is the only member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries so far seriously affected by the protests roiling the Arab world, and unrest there has sent shudders through global oil markets.

Diamond Engagement Rings Symbol of Endless Love

Reason of selecting diamond is that they considered as symbol of love, purity and unity. This make diamond engagement rings are one of the most popular choices in engagement rings. You can find that these days couples prefer presenting diamond engagement ring to their beloved and the reason of its popularity is its unique look and it has the power to melt heart. Hence by presenting diamond engagement ring to your beloved you will show her that how romantic you are and how much you love her.

Agriculture Experts Extol Nutrition as Goal in Farming

More than 900 farm, health and nutrition experts from over 60 countries have gathered in the Indian capital, New Delhi, to discuss how agriculture can help meet the needs of the world's poor people. The experts are calling on nations to incorporate health and nutrition as a goal in farming.

Nearly one billion people, or one-sixth of the world's population, goes hungry every day. The number of malnourished people is even higher. Food prices are spiraling in many countries. And in many parts of the world, climate change is impacting agricultural productivity.

These are the key challenges highlighted by experts in New Delhi at a conference on "Leveraging Agriculture for Improving Nutrition and Health" organized by the International Food Policy Research Institute.

Justice Department Tells Oil Spill Claims Czar to Loosen Purse Strings

ATLANTA -- The Justice Department is telling the administrator of the $20 billion fund for Gulf oil spill victims that his job is not to preserve money or return it to BP, and is insisting he loosen the purse strings to help people who are still suffering from last year's disaster.

In a letter Friday to Kenneth Feinberg that was obtained by The Associated Press, Associate Attorney General Thomas J. Perrelli alluded to the fact that only roughly $3.5 billion of the $20 billion fund has been spent. Any money not spent goes back to BP.

Eva Longoria, Tony Parker Finalize Divorce

"Desperate Housewives" actress Eva Longoria and her basketball star husband Tony Parker officially divorced, TMZ reported Monday.

The former couple's lawyers filed papers that officially ended the marriage Friday in a Texas courthouse. The divorce went through amicably, with Longoria agreeing to dismiss the divorce petition she filed in LA County Superior Court, allowing the pair to end their marriage in the same state where they signed a prenuptial agreement.

Longoria filed for divorce Nov. 17, citing "irreconcilable differences" in the wake of allegations Parker, 28, had a "sexting relationship" with the wife of former teammate Brent Barry.

Tourists navigate chaos with concern

Cairo, Egypt (CNN) -- Groups of U.S. tourists were stuck Saturday trying to find their way out of Egypt amid the chaos and violent protests that have seized the country.

American traveler Diane Kelley of Chicago described being "stranded" near the Cairo airport with her husband, Gaynor, and 14 other tourists, all waiting for departing flights.

"We've had so far two flights canceled and we're currently just waiting to see if we can get out of Cairo to any other place in the world, but it's very chaotic here," Kelley told CNN by phone, adding they are afraid for their safety if they go outside.

Menounos Bikini Beach

Opting to ring in the new year in sunny Florida, Maria Menounos was spotted showy her fit and fine beach body in Miami on Friday afternoon (December 31).

Dressed in an oh-so-hot black bikini, the TV personality roughly around the sandy shoreline while partaking in a game of football with "No Ordinary Family" actor Michael Chiklis.Maria Menounos Bikini Beach

Tweeting about the active outing, Miss Menounos wrote, "Beach football today w/@MichaelChiklis…paparazzi had some fun! Hope the bikini shots are flattering!"

Getting more than she hoped for, the brunette beauty ended up offering up a few swimsuit malfunction shots before closing out her beach football festivities and heading back to the hotel to ready for the NYE 2011 parties.

Petra Nemcova Engaged

Czech model Petra Nemcova is set to merry British actor Jamie Belman after just eight months of dating. The couple met last year after being introduced by mutual friends and the stars spent the holidays together with both of their families.

British Vogue magazine now reports Petra Nemcova Engaged to Jamie Belman after Belman recently proposed. In the past, Nemcova, 31, has been romantically associated to Oscar winner Sean Penn and singer James Blunt. She lost her previous fiance, Simon Atlee, in December 2004 when he was killed in the catastrophic Asian tsunami. The model was a survivor of the disaster.

Since the tragic event, Nemcova has dedicated herself to helping others affected by the tsunami, and is now President and Chairwoman of the euphoric Hearts Foundation which works with the children who survived the disaster. "When the tsunami happened, I wanted to help in any possible way," she said.

Selena Gomez: PCAs Favorite Breakout Artist!

Selena Gomez pompously shows off her prize for favorite breakout artist at the People's Choice Awards 2011 on Wednesday (January 5) ,The ceremonial detained Wednesday night at the Nokia Center in L.A. Calif., was streamed live on CBS.

The 18-year-old singer and artist picked up the honor following performing "A Year Without Rain" with her band, Selena Gomez & The Scene.

one more Latina Disney sensation who won last night was pop on stage sensation Selena Gómez and her band "The Scene," winners of the "People's Choice Award" as "Favorite Breakout Artist."

On the carpet, Selena wear a one shoulder pink cocktail dress with ruffle detail at shoulder from Paule Ka with Giuseppe Zanotti pumps.

Behind the scnenes, Selena met up with fellow winner Taylor Swift and joked that the country star was taking over the world! Taylor then said the same thing about Selena!