WASHINGTON - The United States built pressure on Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Wednesday, signaling that a troop increase could hinge on a successful runoff election and that the Obama administration would be receptive to a power-sharing deal between Karzai and his chief rival.

BAGHDAD, Iraq - The White House said Monday that the fledgling Iraqi government must step up and take more responsibility for the country's security, but said the United States is not issuing ultimatums to Baghdad.

The average consumer may feel far removed from the heated debates on Capitol Hill concerning the $14.3 trillion debt ceiling, which the nation could crash into next week. But the truth is, American households are dealing with plenty of their own red ink, and the debt issues that lawmakers must solve to get the nation back on track are similar to those facing consumers.

UR, Iraq - Representatives from some of Iraq's many factions met Tuesday in the biblical birthplace of the prophet Abraham for a U.S.-sponsored forum to begin shaping the country's postwar government, but some Shiite Muslim groups boycotted and protested the gathering.

UR, Iraq - Under a white-and-gold tent at the biblical birthplace of the prophet Abraham, the United States assembled Iraqi factions on Tuesday and told them it has "absolutely no interest" in ruling Iraq.

UR, Iraq - Under a white-and-gold tent at the biblical birthplace of the prophet Abraham, the United States assembled Iraqi factions on Tuesday and told them it has "absolutely no interest" in ruling Iraq.

Jon Beydler

Robert L. Hale: Thirty-eight state budgets are in the red. The Government Accountability Office estimates that federal debt, on a per-household basis, is between $299,880 and $754,095. The difference is based on whether all households are counted or just those that pay income taxes. The GAO points out that the debt is the result of entitlements and unrestrained government spending.

UNITED NATIONS - The United States and Britain sought U.N. backing for their post-occupation plans for Iraq, proposing a new resolution Monday that would endorse the June 30 handover of power and authorize a U.S.-led multinational force to keep the peace.

June 6, 2004

WASHINGTON - The government believes Fidel Castro's health is deteriorating and that the Cuban dictator is unlikely to live through 2007. That dire view was reinforced last week when Cuba's foreign minister backed away from his prediction the ailing Castro would return to power by early December.

WASHINGTON - The State Department announced plans Tuesday to step up a campaign to combat efforts by foreign governments to restrict use of the Internet.

U.S. CONGRESS DISTRICT 5

October 1, 2004