Protesters breach security at BBC’s Television Center during rally against far-right leader

LONDON — Police say that about 25 protesters have breached security around the BBC’s Television Center during a rally against a far-right leader’s appearance on the broadcaster’s leading political debate show.

Protesters rally against far-right leader appearing on TV politics show; BBC defends invite

LONDON — Anti-fascist protesters broke into the BBC’s west London headquarters on Thursday ahead of a white-supremacist party leader’s appearance on a leading political debate show.

Move over Mary Kay! NJ candidate makes living selling sex toys at Tupperware-style parties

TRENTON, N.J. — A lot of small business owners run for the Legislature, but one New Jersey candidate can tout a unique entrepreneurial experience: hosting sex-toy parties.

Quieter than health overhaul foes, grass-roots supporters are working hard, Obama camp says

NEW YORK — Fired up? Ready to go? You might not know it from the way President Barack Obama’s grass-roots supporters have been largely drowned out in the raucous debate over his health care plan.

Rep. Boehner says tea party protests stem from a ‘political rebellion’ happening in America

WASHINGTON — House Republican leader John Boehner says nationwide protests known as “tea parties” are the result of pushback against Democrats’ spending.

DNC chairman Kaine tries to rev up party activists for health care at fall meeting in Texas

AUSTIN, Texas — Democratic National Committee chairman Tim Kaine gave a pep talk to party activists Friday, urging them to work for passage of health insurance legislation and telling them Democrats are gaining ground in Texas.

Berlusconi daughter comes to his defense, says he’s been stabbed in back by months of slander

ROME — Premier Silvio Berlusconi’s eldest daughter has come to her father’s defense, saying he’s been “stabbed in the back” by months of “slanderous” newspaper revelations about his sex life.

Berlusconi dismisses idea of resigning over sex scandal, calls himself Italy’s best premier

ROME — Premier Silvio Berlusconi brushed off questions about any possible resignation over his sex scandal Thursday, saying he has been Italy’s best premier ever.

Pope meets with Berlusconi aide amid fallout from government-church clash

ROME — Premier Silvio Berlusconi’s top aide met with Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday amid continuing fallout over scandals that have strained ties between Italy’s government and the Catholic Church.

Lobbyists on both sides of health overhaul fight aim ads, demonstrations at returning Congress

WASHINGTON — Interest groups are unleashing a torrent of modern and old-fashioned lobbying tactics at members of Congress returning for the autumn battle over health care, from spending sky-high amounts on TV ads to staging rallies in the capital and perhaps outside insurance company offices.

Southern Decadence is New Orleans end-of-summer fling; ‘Gay Mardi Gras’ eyes fair weather

NEW ORLEANS — Jonathan Bray, one of the organizers of Southern Decadence, a celebration that has become known as the gay Mardi Gras, spent his time this week getting ready for the big party and watching weather reports.

Text of Obama’s eulogy at Kennedy’s funeral Mass in Boston

Text of President Barack Obama’s eulogy at Sen. Edward Kennedy’s funeral Mass on Saturday in Boston, as prepared for delivery and provided by the White House:

Kennedy, dealmaker who came of age in era of party factions, leaves a more polarized Senate

WASHINGTON — Over nearly a half-century, Ted Kennedy watched his beloved Senate change from a collegial boys’ club known for bipartisan deal-cutting to a far less friendly place dominated by polarized parties, where broad compromise is a dying art.

AP INVESTIGATION: SC’s philandering governor used state planes for personal, political trips

COLUMBIA, S.C. —South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford used state aircraft for personal and political trips, often bringing along his wife and children — contrary to state law regarding official use, an Associated Press investigation has found.

White House advises Democrats on handling protests, promises full support

WASHINGTON — Top White House officials counseled Democratic senators Thursday on coping with disruptions at public events on health care this summer, officials said, and promised the party and allies would respond with twice the force if any individual lawmaker is criticized in television advertising.

White House advises Dems on handling protests, promises full support

WASHINGTON — Top White House officials counseled Democratic senators Thursday on coping with disruptions at public events on health care this summer, officials said, and promised the party and allies would respond with twice the force if any individual lawmaker is criticized in television advertising.

Reid calls protests ‘destructive’ as negotiators hunker down to seek bipartisan deal

WASHINGTON — The Senate’s most powerful Democrat on Thursday scolded health care protesters dogging his party’s lawmakers at local meetings, arguing that some critics on the political right have run out of ideas — and ditched their civic manners. Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada accused the protesters of trying to “sabotage” the democratic process.

Activists vow to keep up their fight against Obama’s health care overhaul plan

WASHINGTON — Conservative activists are vowing to keep up their fight against President Barack Obama’s health care plans, even as the Democratic Party pushes back hard, accusing Republicans of organizing angry mobs.

Loosely organized protesters intent on keeping heat on Obama health plans

WASHINGTON — Conservative activists are vowing to keep up their fight against President Barack Obama’s health care plans, even as the Democratic Party pushes back hard, accusing Republicans of organizing angry mobs.

THE INFLUENCE GAME: Right tries matching left’s ability to mobilize public in health fight

WASHINGTON — The conservative message on health care is simple: President Barack Obama’s revamping of the nation’s medical system will produce a costly government-run program that limits patients’ choices.

A baby cut from the womb turns 1, and a grandfather grieves while planning a party

McKEESPORT, Pa. — Planning a birthday party is bittersweet for the grandfather of a 1-year-old who was cut from his mother’s womb.

1 victim from Miami birthday party shooting dies, 2 still in critical condition

MIAMI — One woman hit by gunfire at a Miami birthday party has died, while police continue searching for the gunmen who shot her and 11 others.

Italy’s Berlusconi, mired in sex scandal at home, basks in spotlight as G-8 host

ROME — Premier Silvio Berlusconi will bask in his role as host of the Group of Eight summit of industrialized nations — a break from the barrage of attacks from a starlet scandal that has engulfed him at home.

Italian premier Berlusconi, mired in sex scandal at home, boosts presence on world stage

ROME — Premier Silvio Berlusconi is expanding his presence on the world stage leading into next week’s Group of Eight summit with a flurry of diplomacy aimed, at least in part, in part at diverting attention from the starlet scandal that has engulfed him at home.

Italian premier Berlusconi, mired in sex scandal at home, boosts presence on world stage

ROME — Premier Silvio Berlusconi is expanding his presence on the world stage leading into next week’s Group of Eight summit with a flurry of diplomacy aimed, at least in part, at diverting attention from the starlet scandal that has engulfed him at home.

Berlusconi boosts international diplomacy as problems mount at home over starlet scandal

ROME — Premier Silvio Berlusconi is expanding his presence on the world stage leading into next week’s Group of Eight summit with a flurry of diplomacy aimed, at least in part, in part at diverting attention from the starlet scandal that has engulfed him at home.

Berlusconi’s estranged wife criticizes huge media attention on divorce

ROME — The estranged wife of Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi lashed out Saturday at what she called excessive attention and unwanted advice in the media following her decision to divorce the conservative leader.