The Senate is slowly chugging through the health-care bill, and on Thursday made symbolic progress by approving in a 61-39 vote a measure that would improve women's access to disease screenings. The development follows last month's controversial decision by two health groups to delay regular mammograms and pap smears. The amendment will increase women's access to screenings for diseases such as cancer and diabetes. While the move was a step forward for women's health, Medicare took a hit when the Senate voted 58-42 to cut more than $400 billion from the program that provides health care to the elderly. Two of the most contentious issues still lie in the road ahead: the public option and abortion coverage.

For the second day in a row, administration officials found themselves facing a skeptical Senate questioning President Barack Obama's new Afghanistan plans. The revised strategy calls for a surge in troops, costing the U.S. an estimated $30 billion a year, to stamp out al Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) said that the focus on Afghanistan was misguided, stating, "We have largely expelled al Qaeda from Afghanistan." Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN) asked "whether the costs of this deployment are justified in our overall national-security context and whether we are mistakenly concentrating our forces to fight a terrorist enemy in a specific location even as the global terrorist threat is becoming increasingly diffuse." Senators also emphasized the need to focus on Pakistan, which is becoming a potential staging ground for terrorism.

It has long been speculated that Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is just a placeholder for Vladimir Putin, who has to wait until 2012 to run for president again, because the Russian constitution prohibits more than two consecutive terms. Putin is fanning the flames, saying Thursday he’d “think about” running for president again. On Thursday, the steely leader spoke for a marathon four hours as part of his annual town-hall forum, which debuted in 2001 when Putin was president. When asked if he would retire into ordinary civilian life, Putin responded, "Don't count on that." And when questioned about the 2012 presidency, the ever-popular prime minister responded, "I will think about it. There is plenty of time for that." Putin fielded questions from the live audience and also via phone, email, and text messages, addressing topics ranging from terrorism to the economy to pensions to hip-hop music.

A man convicted of raping and murdering an 11-year-old girl was executed Thursday evening in Texas, despite protests from his attorneys that he was mentally impaired. Bobby Wayne Woods' IQ tests indicated a score ranging between the 60s and 80s. An IQ of 70 is considered mentally impaired in the eyes of the law. The U.S. Supreme Court refused to intervene, and Woods was put to death via lethal injection. It was Texas' 24th and last scheduled execution of the year. Woods' final words were "Bye. I'm ready."

A military aide to Guinea President Moussa Dadis Camara opened fire on him Thursday, slightly wounding the 45-year-old leader, according to his spokesman. The Associated Press reports that Guinea's armed forces contain a renegade faction due to the rift caused by a military-led massacre at a peaceful pro-democracy rally three months ago. Abubakar "Toumba" Diakite, the lieutenant accused of ordering that massacre (during which at least 157 were killed, and dozens raped), controls the military compound where Camara was shot Thursday. The president's spokesman accuses Toumba of ordering the attempted assassination as part of a power grab: "When you pull a gun on someone, is it your intention to scare him? No. Your intention is to kill him." The shooting coincides with the final days of a United Nations fact-finding mission to Guinea, during which Toumba asked the U.N. to "be open" in their judgment of the massacre.

Leonardo DiCaprio is joining the legions of A-list actors who lend their voices to the animated screen. DiCaprio will be the voice of Jack Frost in DreamWorks’ production of The Guardians, to be released in November 2012. The movie brings together the imaginary childhood characters of Santa, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, the Sandman, and Jack Frost, who comprise a superhero team that fights an evil spirit. It is the first time the actor will be participating in an animated film.

Tiger Woods’ phone has surely been ringing off the hook, but he reportedly spoke with a particularly scandalous caller Wednesday night. Since lawyer Gloria Allred canceled a press conference with Rachel Uchitel—originally linked to Woods by the National Enquirer—rumors have been running rampant as to why. Now, TMZ.com reports the first of Woods’ alleged mistresses has been in talks with the golfer, and had a half-hour chat with him before canceling the presser. According to TMZ, Uchitel and Woods had also been speaking just before Friday’s mysterious car accident. While TMZ says no monetary exchange has been made, the site does assert that Woods, as well as his representatives, knew of her plan to deny the alleged sexual relationship.

As Roman Polanski prepares for house arrest at his Swiss chalet, authorities have temporarily moved the director from his cell at a Zurich-area prison to an undisclosed location. Polanski left the Winterthur jail on Thursday for "security reasons and personal protection," a spokesman for the justice ministry told the Associated Press. Though he did not reveal where the controversial filmmaker was being held, the spokesman did confirm that Polanski will be taken to his chalet in Gstaad on Friday afternoon. He will reportedly be confined to his home until Swiss officials decide if they will send him to the U.S.

Someone should be expecting coal: A man dressed up as an elf was arrested  Wednesday for threatening to blow up the Santa at a Georgia mall. William C. Caldwell III waited in line to have his picture taken, but then told the mall Santa that the bag he was carrying held dynamite. No explosives were found. Caldwell faces several charges, including making terroristic threats.

You might not be waking up next to him, but get used to the sight of George Stephanopoulos in the morning: ABC has offered him the job as co-host of Good Morning America, according to The Washington Post. Stephanopoulos, the network’s chief Washington correspondent, has not yet accepted the offer to succeed Diane Sawyer, according to Howard Kurtz. He is negotiating both his multimillion dollar compensation and pushing for a role that focuses on his interests of politics and hard news rather than feature segments. Reporting on the negotiations in November, The Daily Beast's Rebecca Dana said Stephanopoulos wanted to keep his Sunday show. Kurtz’s sources warn that the negotiations are complicated enough that the deal might still fall apart.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke is likely to be confirmed for a second term, but first comes the congressional grilling. Taking questions from the Senate Banking Committee on Thursday, The Wall Street Journal says Bernanke’s testimony highlights “the disconnect in Washington between opinions of Mr. Bernanke’s leadership during the financial crisis and a growing skepticism about the central bank’s wide-ranging authority to respond in times of financial stress.” Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), for example, said Bernanke had done a “very good job” but asked “Why should I give an institution that failed … that type of exclusive authority?” when discussing a plan to broaden the Fed’s regulatory powers.

Can President Obama get America back to work? The president kicked off his “jobs summit” with academics, business and union leaders, and local officials on Thursday. Obama proclaimed himself “open to every demonstrably good idea,” saying “So we can’t make any ill-considered decisions right now even with the best of intentions. We have to be surgical and we're going to have to be creative.” New jobs numbers are set to come out on Friday and the unemployment rate is expected to remain at about 10 percent.

‘Tis the season of giving, and some top Democratic donors believe President Obama hasn’t given them the attention they deserve. They grew accustomed to exclusive access to the White House during Bill Clinton’s time in office, but so far Obama has allegedly let them down. Top donors like Chris Korge, who collected $5.5 million for the president, have not been invited to the White House for Lincoln Bedroom slumber parties or weekend getaways at Camp David. “I’ve had almost no communication with the White House,” he told The Washington Post, noting just one visit to the presidential estate. Andy Spahn, a Hollywood consultant, added, “You don’t have the hang time with Obama.” Nevertheless, Republicans argue that the president has been overly generous toward his donors. He’s nominated at least 30 of his 324 top bundlers for ambassadorships or other high-level administration positions. One government-affairs lobbyist, however, notes that Obama’s appointments are lower than those during the Bush administration.

The Screen Actors Guild may want to reconsider the random selection of its nominating committee, because Howard Stern won a spot this year. The notoriously crude radio host told his listeners Thursday morning that he will make the most of his newly earned title, only selecting those who’ve appeared on his show or been kind to him in the past. “I don’t give a s--- if they were good or not,” he said. “Who gives a f--- if someone can pretend to be somebody?” Kevin Bacon, Robert Downey Jr., Renée Zellweger, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Jimmy Fallon all received Stern’s approval while Robert De Niro, Daniel Day Lewis, and Larry David did not. Others, however, made the cut thanks to the sympathy or congratulatory vote. Robin Wright Penn, for example, earned Stern’s vote after he felt bad for the recently divorced actress, while a vote for Kate Hudson showed Stern’s appreciation for dating Alex Rodriguez and bringing the Yankees' World Series title.

Tiger Woods wasn’t just having affairs with women—he was having good affairs. Kalika Moquin, the third alleged mistress emerging in the Tiger Woods scandal, had been "on and off" with Woods for a few months, according to Life & Style magazine. She reportedly told a friend that Woods "was amazing in bed" and that, on a recent trip to Las Vegas (where Moquin lives and works as a marketing manager for a nightclub), Tiger stayed an extra day to be with her. Woods was apparently unhappy in his marriage and "liked getting away from it all."

Is the party over for Michaele and Tareq Salahi? Not only may the couple face a subpoena to testify to Congress about whether they crashed the State Dinner, the state of Virginia has opened a formal investigation into their business Thursday. In separate fallout, two Secret Service agents who led the Salahis through a checkpoint have been put on leave and could face dismissal and White House press secretary Robert Gibbs says he's "happy to look at" a subpoena for social secretary Desiree Rogers. According to a statement, Virginia is looking into the fundraising practices of the couple’s America’s Polo Cup organization. The Salahis deemed the spring gala that began in 2007 as the “world’s most prestigious and largest” charity event of its kind, telling sponsors that proceeds go to the federally approved nonprofit Journey for the Cure. But paperwork filed with the state reveals that the Salahis are the only executives of both organizations and list the couple’s home as their business address. While Tareq Salahi told the paper last year that the inaugural event raised about $250,000 for charity, the paperwork he filed with the state reported the foundation received $18,608 that year and donated $15,000 to other stated causes.

Kanye West should start preparing some digs to titillate the press at this year's Grammys. Taylor Swift and Beyoncé are leading this year's nominations, with eight for Swift to Beyoncé's 10. West, the Black Eyed Peas, and Maxwell came in third, with six nods each. Lady Gaga's "Poker Face," Maxwell's "Pretty Wings," Beyoncé's "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)," Kings of Leon's "Use Somebody," and Swift's "You Belong with Me" are all up for Song of the Year, while Beyoncé, the Black Eyed Peas, Dave Matthews Band, and Swift will compete for Album of the Year. The winners won't be announced until Jan. 31.

Deputy Attorney General David W. Ogden—the second-in-command at the Justice Department who manages its day-to-day-operations—announced on Thursday that he is stepping down in February 2010 to return to private practice. "David Ogden has been an invaluable leader for the Department of Justice and for this Administration," said Attorney General Eric Holder. "I am sorry to see him go, and I thank him for his service to the Department and to the nation." Ogden follows Greg Craig, who was in charge of closing Guantanamo Bay, and Phil Carter, who was in charge of terror-detainee policy, in making recent early exits.

With unemployment at a 26-year high, the White House shifts its focus from Afghanistan to jobs Thursday as President Obama hosts a summit with business leaders. On Friday, Obama travels to Allentown, Penn., the first stop on his "White House to Main Street" jobs tour. Although only a third of the $787 billion emergency spending bill passed last February has been spent, the White House is wary of plans that would add to the deficit. Nobel Laureate economist Joseph Stiglitz, who is taking part in the summit, disagrees with that stance. Stiglitz says that in the long run, the risks that widespread unemployment poses to the country are greater than the risks of a large deficit. Critics say the summit is about politics, not policy. After all, presidential approval ratings have fallen as unemployment has risen, leading Republicans to blast Obama for what they say are failed economic policies, and Democrats up for reelection next year have already started to worry.

Tom Brady told a Boston radio station Wednesday that he knows the gender of his baby due next month—but mother Gisele Bündchen does not. "I’m really the only one that knows at this point," Brady said. "My dad asked me. I haven't told him. [Gisele] doesn’t know. It’s a pretty good feeling knowing something that no one else knows." Gisele said she wants to wait until the birth to find out. Right now, the couple is sticking to light green and yellow paints in the nursery. "Everything is unisex at this point," Brady said.

After Rupert Murdoch said that the Google News aggregation service amounts to theft, Google CEO Eric Schmidt is firing back in a Wall Street Journal editorial that says, essentially, "It doesn't have to be that way." Schmidt defended Google for delivering about 100,000 clicks per minute to news services, each one an opportunity for news services to win a loyal customer. He also points out that, with the exception of services that Google has a content sharing arrangement with, Google News publishes only the headline and a few lines from a news story, then forces the reader to click through. He corrects the assumption that Google is "making big profits on the back of newspapers." Ads run along side the news, he says, constitute "a tiny fraction of our search revenue." Furthermore, Schmidt has a vision. He says that Google and the news industry ought to be collaborating to create the news experience of the future: an electronic device that loads instantaneously, pulls stories from multiple sources, and pays those sources either via monthly subscription fees, or pennies per article charged to the user's account. Stories and ads would be tailored to the user, allowing advertisers to target users and driving up ad revenue. Apparently, the future is now: Google and three dozen news partners are already testing Google Fast Flip.

An explosion killed at least six Iranian pilgrims traveling on a crowded bus through the Syrian capital of Damascus Thursday. Dozens more were injured. According to BBC News, car bombings are rare in Syria, although there was a major attack last year that killed 17 people. The group was visiting a shrine dedicated to the prophet Muhammad's granddaughter.

When Denver residents go to the polls in 2010 they will be faced with a new referendum: whether or not to form an Extraterrestrial Affairs Commission, dedicated to figuring out the best way to welcome aliens if they arrive on earth. A self-described entrepreneur, Jeff Peckham has gathered the necessary 4,000 signatures required to have the issue brought to the 350,000 voters in Denver. "What would a commission demand of us as a city? Do they want to go to a conference on Mars?" asked Councilman Charlie Brown (real name, we swear). "We'll pay for a one-way trip." Residents reacted with skepticism, worried the vote would tarnish the Mile High City's grounded reputation.

Always the supporting man, and never the leading one, Rupert Everett complains. The actor blames his secondary roles on the fact that he came out of the closet 20 years ago. He's now advising fellow gay actors to keep mum on their sexuality if they want to advance their careers. In the 1997 hit My Best Friend's Wedding, starring Julia Roberts and Cameron Diaz, Everett played second fiddle to Dermot Mulroney. "[T]he fact of the matter is, and I don't care who disagrees, it doesn't work if you're gay," the actor said. The downside to being in the closet, Everett predicts, is a slice of happiness. "I may not be as rich or successful, but at least I'm vaguely free to be myself."

In one of the most aggressive moves the video game industry has seen, Wal-Mart announced it would slash prices on 50 game titles in a temporary sale. The price cuts could affect competitors Toys R Us, Best Buy and GameStop, the last of which saw the price of its shares tumble 8.26 percent the day of the announcement. The discount retailer is offering $10 off many of the most sought-after games this year, including "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2," "Assassin's Creed II," and "New Super Mario Bros. Wii." The cost of Wii games will be lowered to $40 and Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 games to $50. Wal-Mart is also offering a $50 gift card with the purchase of a $199 Wii console. Although it has traditionally favored “everyday low prices” over temporary sales, since October, the store has been announcing fleeting deep discounts in a bid to lure GameStop customers.

Maybe they'll be able to find a replacement for resigning chief Ken Lewis now? Bank of America is joining the bailout payback club, announcing late Wednesday that it will repay the $45 billion in taxpayer aid that helped it survive the meltdown—which will get it off the hook on executive pay restrictions. Lewis said the repayment shows the bailout worked: "It is a milestone indicating that public policy has succeeded in helping our industry and the economy begin to recover." But the Treasury won't let them give the cash back just yet: BofA is only allowed to do so if they meet a set of guidelines suggesting good financial health, including raising an additional $4 billion in equity before summer. JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs repaid their federal bailouts last fall.

The New York State Senate voted 38-24 against a bill that would have legalized gay marriage on Wednesday, dashing the hopes of gay couples seeking the same legal rights that married heterosexuals enjoy in the state. One gay man engaged to his partner said the vote made him "feel like I've been hit in the face with a 10-pound anvil. He added that leaders from both parties made him feel "less than equal" and "subhuman to others." He called the vote "beyond discouraging. It's appalling." A longtime lesbian marriage activist said that she was sure New York would become the sixth state to legalize gay marriage, saying, "I don't get it. New York has been at the forefront of civil rights for centuries."

Seeking to stem shareholder anger over record pay, Goldman Sachs executives have begun meeting with major investors to explain why the compensation system is reasonable. The Wall Street Journal reports that calming shareholders is key for Goldman's guardians to preserve the current compensation structure. An official at TIAA-CREF, which holds $1 billion in Goldman shares, said that "the next logical action would be for Goldman to proactively consider putting its compensation policies to a vote of shareholders. If Goldman Sachs acts the rest of Wall Street will likely follow."

Health expert and journalist Robert Davis is pointing his finger at the Internet and blaming the spreading of silly myths—like an onion's ability to absorb the H1N1 virus—and virtual viruses due to the net's "unprecedented power to spread false—and sometimes harmful—information." Davis says urban legends are inevitable during an epidemic like the swine flu, but warns people to be cautious and to learn the real facts before trying any miracle germ-killing gels, immune-boosting herbs, or filling out questionnaires claiming to be from legit health sources that require sharing personal information.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. reported Wednesday that one-quarter of American households—approximately 60 million Americans—have little or no access to banks or other financial institutions. Almost 22 percent of black households and 71 percent of families making less than $30,000 don't use banks. Without access to banks, families are vulnerable to theft, having to resort to non-traditional financial services like check cashers, and are unable to establish credit histories.

The Obama administration invoked the separation of powers clause Wednesday with its decision to keep social secretary Desiree Roberts from testifying before Congress about the Virginia socialites who crashed a White House state dinner. Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said the White House was changing procedures in response to the brouhaha; from now on, a member of the social secretary’s staff will be at each of the Secret Service’s guest checkpoints to keep out any intruders—fame-seeking or otherwise. But, Gibbs said, “the staff here don’t go to testify before Congress.” President George W. Bush infuriated congressional Democrats when he kept adviser Karl Rove from testifying, and now it’s Republicans’ turn to get heated. Rep. Peter King (R-NY) decried the decision as “stonewalling” and warned of a bigger confrontation.

President Barack Obama's surge and drawdown plan has brought old anxieties to the surface in Pakistan and Afghanistan. The announcement that American troops could begin pulling out of Afghanistan in as little as 18 months left Afghan foreign minister Rangin Dadfar Spanta, the only minister to comment on the speech, wondering "Can we do it? ...This is not done in a moment. It is a process." In Pakistan, the new strategy raised fears that America would withdraw abruptly, as it did in the 1980s after the Soviet Union withdrew from Afghanistan. There are also concerns in Islamabad, Pakistan's capital, that the short timetable will diminish the country's incentive to cut ties with its Taliban militant allies, whom Pakistan might need to influence the Afghanistan government after America leaves.

Rachel Uchitel, the New York party promoter alleged to be one of Tiger Woods' mistresses, now claims that she was lying when she said she hadn't had an affair with the famed golfer, TMZ.com reports. However, Uchitel has now canceled a press conference with her lawyer, during which she was expected to address the issue. According to TMZ.com, unnamed sources have also confirmed that Woods' texts to Uchitel triggered his fight with his wife on the night of his car crash last week. Less than an hour before the accident, Uchitel and Woods were allegedly texting each other when Woods' wife confronted him, grabbed the phone, and called Uchitel. During the ensuing argument, the phone reportedly broke, and the vestibule of Woods’ home was damaged, which is why he prevented the police from entering. With a brawl like that, it's no wonder that Woods and wife Elin Nordegren have entered intense marriage counseling at their house with a counselor who conducts several sessions each day. As The Daily Beast's Gerald Posner reports, Woods has negotiated an immediate $5 million payout to his wife if she stays, and the prenup she signed is being revised to give her an additional $55 million if she stays for a set number of years.

Terror-hungry al Qaeda followers are inside the United States and want to attack targets here and elsewhere around the world, according to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. Napolitano's blunt comments on Wednesday night come a day after President Obama announced that he'd send 30,000 additional U.S. troops to Afghanistan. Extremists have been "sent here from the border region of Afghanistan and Pakistan to commit more acts of terror," Napolitano warned, adding that the recent spate of domestic terror arrests should "remove any remaining comfort" in the Bushian notion that "if we fight the terrorists abroad, we won't have to fight them here." In September, Denver airport shuttle driver Najibullah Zazi was arrested after allegedly training with Pakistan al Qaeda, while in October Chicago businessman David C. Headley was accused of conspiring with Lashkar-i-Taiba, an extremist Islamic group in Pakistan. Maybe the color of fear should be part of Homeland Security terror alert chart?

France's leading boardrooms will be 50 percent female by 2015 if the country's parliament approves legislation proffered by Nicolas Sarkozy's party. A leader of the majority party, UMP, said that the law would provide a "much-needed electro-shock" to France's corporation. The changes would be incremental, requiring board seats to be 20 percent female in 18 months and 40 percent within four years. One conservative business leader said his group would support the legislation, calling quotas a "necessary evil."

Comcast, the largest cable company in the U.S., has agreed to merge its fortunes with NBC Universal via a $30 billion deal with General Electric, owner of 80 percent of NBC Universal. Comcast is to contribute $6.5 billion in cash and $7.25 billion in cable channels, including the Golf Channel and E! to the new entity, which will be headed by NBC’s Jeff Zucker. GE will receive $8 billion in net cash, and NBC Universal will contribute the USA, CNBC, MSNBC, and Bravo channels, NBC's broadcast networks and stations, a film studio, and amusement parks. Comcast will take a 51 percent stake in the new venture. Vivendi SA, France's biggest media company, moved Comcast's bid forward when it decided to sell its 20 percent, $5.8 billion stake in NBC Universal. The deal won't become final until federal regulators approve it, a process that may take a year. Regulators could impose conditions on the sale that would make it less attractive to Comcast, such as weakening Comcast's bargaining position when dealing with TV owners to allay fears that the cable operator would gain too much power over what users see.

Though Academy Award-nominated director Jason Reitman’s Up in the Air has yet to hit theaters, the National Board of Review of Motion Pictures deemed it the year’s best on Thursday. The movie centers around a single, middle-aged corporate downsizer, played by George Clooney, who tied with Morgan Freeman of Invictus for the best actor award. Clooney’s costar, Anna Kendrick, earned the best supporting actress honor for her role as a young executive and Reitman and his co-writer Sheldon Turner were also awarded with the best adapted screenplay. While Academy Award nominations will not be announced until February, the board, which is made up of industry professionals, educators, historians, and students is viewed as a leading predictor of the Oscars’ best-film winner. The 2007, 2008, and 2009 top honorees— The Departed, No Country for Old Men, and Slumdog Millionaire respectively—all went on to win the title from the Academy.