German president backed by polls, Merkel

BERLIN (AP) — A narrow majority of Germans believe the country's embattled president should keep his job, according to two new polls, and Chancellor Angela Merkel signaled Friday that she still backs the man she helped install.

President Christian Wulff, Merkel's candidate for the largely ceremonial job in 2010, is under intense pressure over a private loan he received from a wealthy businessman's wife and an angry call he made to a newspaper editor before it published a story about it.

Wulff said this week the call was a "serious mistake" but has traded blows with Bild, Germany's biggest-selling newspaper, over whether he actually tried to prevent the report. He says he only …

Designer favored by Obama closes

The signs of Maria Pinto's rise were clear when Michelle Obama entered the world stage wearing her designs, also favored by Oprah Winfrey.

Today the signs on Pinto's Chicago shop say something different: "Closeout." "Final Sale."

Pinto is closing her Chicago boutique with a liquidation sale through Saturday offering discounts of up to 70 percent on her clothing, some of which is priced at thousands of dollars per piece.

The designer blames a poor economy, but the closing also may call into a question the notion that a fashionable first lady could single-handedly save an on-the-verge designer.

Having celebrity clients is …

Sick people need pot

Most politicians are prone to strike poses while public servants.And sometimes as they vogue, they actually lead. At other times,they stumble down the runway. To highlight my point, think threesimple words: George Walker Bush. The president misled us intoinvading, then occupying, Iraq and is dead set on keeping us in hismisadventure, now with his Hail Mary surge.

It doesn't matter that the vast majority of Americans havedecided the costs outweigh the benefits -- the president of theUnited States insists on leading us where few want to follow. In twowords, there is Bill Richardson. Unlike Bush, New Mexico Gov.Richardson is following the will of the people. Withstanding …

White House seeking to boost post-recession travel

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The White House on Wednesday sought to reassure travel industry leaders that the United States cares about tourism and hopes to push the industry as the country recovers from a recession that left many without the means to spend as much on vacations and business trips.

Valerie Jarrett, senior adviser to President Barack Obama, told executives at the Global Travel & Tourism Summit that the U.S. wants to help make travel easy and safe, attract international visitors and spur business.

"All of these investments stem from a single belief: If it's easier to travel through the United States, more people will choose to do so," Jarrett said.

Jarrett was one …

Vikings lead Saints 20-10 at halftime

The Minnesota Vikings forced three turnovers and used two big plays by cornerback Antoine Winfield to take a 20-10 halftime lead over the New Orleans Saints on Monday night.

On the first play of the second quarter, Winfield, who already had returned a blocked field goal 59 yards for a touchdown, stripped Drew Brees of the ball on a sack and returned the fumble 9 yards to the Saints 5. Running back Chester Taylor threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to tight end Visanthe Shiancoe on third down to give the Vikings their first lead, 17-10.

New Orleans, which outgained Minnesota 251 yards to 120, threatened to score on its next two possessions before committing a turnover …

Top tips for getting [...]

Top tips for getting a job 1) Get help to produce a professionalCV 2) "Upskill" through courses especially in English, mathematicsand IT 3) Look at volunteering 4) Talk to a careers advisor. NextStep offer all adults 19+ free face-to-face sessions 5) Network -tell friends, family, colleagues and neighbours you are looking forwork 6) Use the speculative approach - send a CV and covering letterto companies you would like to work for 7) Use the likes of recruitagencies, careers fairs, Jobcentre Plus and learndirect 8) Look atlocal colleges for courses 9) Explore other courses that may help,such as the CV writing workshops 10) Attend a job club in your area,which will …

Police Guard City After Mosque Bombing

HYDERABAD, India - Hundreds of police in riot gear deployed Saturday throughout the mostly deserted streets of Hyderabad, hoping to prevent anger over a mosque bombing from sparking more of the religious violence that has plagued the southern Indian city.

Most shops closed for a daylong strike to protest Friday's attack at the 17th-century Mecca Masjid mosque that left 10 people dead and 35 wounded, and the ensuing clashes with police that left four others dead.

Authorities across India were told to be alert for any signs of Hindu-Muslim fighting, and top officials called for calm.

Black protest flags were planted across the city, and families of most of those …