Politics

Washington -- U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson Jr. Wednesday called for restructured models for the nation's largest mortgage brokers.

Washington -- U.S. George Bush designated "three beautiful and biologically diverse areas" in the Pacific as marine national monuments Tuesday.

Salt Lake City -- U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, says he helped John Forte earn his freedom from prison because of the rapper's plans for a new life.

New York -- The mayor of New York said former President Bill Clinton and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton will push the button to drop the Times Square New Year's Eve Ball.

London -- The British government says more than 3,000 of its computer devices have been lost or stolen since 2002.

Seoul -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak said Saturday his country will suffer its first period of negative economic growth in a decade.

Los Angeles -- A 2009 calendar focused on Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is the top office product supply item being sold on Amazon.com, figures indicate.

London -- British Culture Secretary Andy Burnham says his country and the world should employ a ratings system for Internet sites akin to movie ratings.

Tokyo -- Japan's Cabinet Wednesday approved a record-high 2009 budget to fight the nation's economic downturn, officials said.

Beijing -- The Chinese government says it will take measures to stimulate consumption and support foreign trade, including encouraging investment.

New York -- A councilman in New York says he wants to protect a group of wild South American parrots that for some reason are at home in the busy city.

Moscow -- Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin Friday said Russian companies should buy only Russian-made vehicles.

Washington -- A House committee Wednesday criticized the U.S. Treasury for failing to ensure the $700 billion financial markets bailout is doing what it's supposed to do.

Washington -- A congressional oversight panel said the U.S. Treasury needs to improve tracking of the $700 billion bailout and do more for struggling homeowners.