Obama hails nation’s wounded warriors at kickoff of three-day bike ride

September 30th, 2009 MV Agusta unveils first new models in 10 yearsNEW YORK — The Italian sport bike company bought by Harley-Davidson Inc. last year is unveiling its first new models in 10 years, saying that its purchase by Harley is starting to pay off.

September 18th, 2009 Palin dinner brings in $63,500 for charityANCHORAGE, Alaska — A chance to have dinner with former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin has swelled the coffers of an organization that aids wounded veterans. The top bid for dinner with Palin, the former Alaska governor, was $63,500.

August 31st, 2009 ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md. — President Barack Obama has returned to the Washington area after a weeklong vacation on Martha's Vineyard.

August 29th, 2009 WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama has sparked a controversy after being pictured helmetless during a bike ride on Martha's Vineyard. The move, which took place on August 27, has been seen as a bad example by most.

August 17th, 2009 Bike rental Web site helps travelers find bikesRenting a car is one way to see a new city, but for a real close-up (and a little exercise), how about renting a bike? A Web site launched earlier this year, www.rentabikenow.com/, helps travelers find two-wheeled transportation in 168 cities in the United States and Canada. It works with 200 bike stores — and counting, putting site users directly in touch with the rental inventory at independent bicycle stores large and small.

August 12th, 2009 Boston gears up for new bike-sharing programBOSTON — Boston officials are hoping to reach a final decision with a Canadian company to create what would be the largest, urban bike-sharing system in the U.S. Officials are in talks with the Public Bike System Company in Montreal to install a network of 2,500 bikes and 290 stations across the city by next summer, with the option of expanding to a 5,000-bike system encompassing neighboring Brookline, Cambridge and Somerville.

August 11th, 2009 Two dozen taken off disabled roller coaster rideSANTA CLARA, Calif. — Rescue crews have removed the last person stranded on a roller coaster ride at the Great America Theme Park in Santa Clara.

August 6th, 2009 Obama hails confirmation of SotomayorWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is lauding the barrier-breaking confirmation of Sonia Sotomayor to be the first Hispanic justice on the Supreme Court. Said the president: "With this historic vote, the Senate has affirmed that Justice Sotomayor has the intellect, the temperament, the history, the integrity and the independence of mind to ably serve on our nation's highest court." Sotomayor will be sworn in on Saturday and appear with Obama at the White House on Wednesday.

August 2nd, 2009 WASHINGTON - Climate Rider Michael Proulx will cycle more than 5,000 miles this summer to promote Brita Climate Ride 2009 in the US, as well as raise awareness of climate change and renewable energy. Proulx is a global traveler and former Ironman triathlete who has traveled extensively and backpacked all seven continents.

July 31st, 2009 Obama hails meeting with police officer, GatesWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is hailing his meeting with professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. and policeman James Crowley as a "friendly, thoughtful conversation." In a statement after the three men and Vice President Joe Biden chatted over beers, Obama said he learned that Gates and Crowley had already spent some time talking with each other.

July 10th, 2009 Obama says G-8 summit leaders tackled tough issuesL'AQUILA, Italy — President Barack Obama is hailing "candid and spirited discussions" at the G-8 summit, saying the world must come to grips with chronic problems like economic stagnation and climate change. Summing up three days of talks with fellow leaders in Italy, Obama said he and others have agreed that a full recovery from the global economic recession is "still a ways off." He also noted that he and the leaders of other industrialized nations had productive discussions about limiting the proliferation of nuclear weapon systems.

July 8th, 2009 Obama hails historic US-Italian ties, friendship ROME — President Barack Obama is praising historic American ties with Italy, saying the two countries are cooperating in a number of areas, including Afghanistan. Following private talks with President Giorgio Napolitano before joining the G-8 summit of industrialized nations, Obama called Italy "a great friend of the United States." Obama, joined by Napolitano after their meeting, said the two countries "are working hand in hand in places like Afghanistan to ensure that we're isolating extremists and strengthening the forces of moderation around the world." Obama said he looked forward to taking up weighty issues like the economy and global warming at the summit and said "these are all issues in which the Italian government has already shown extraordinary leadership."

May 5th, 2009 No. 1 and No. 2 satisfy sizzling burger cravingARLINGTON, Va. — It's like this: When you want a burger, you have to have a burger.

May 1st, 2009 Secret Service removes bike near White HouseWASHINGTON — The Secret Service has closed off a street section near the White House because of concerns about an unattended bicycle. Secret Service spokesman Ed Donovan said Friday the bike was attached to a pole just north of the White House.

April 28th, 2009 Pro-bike plan opens door for fines on Wis. driversMADISON, Wis.