WASHINGTON – The Democratic National Committee (search) raised $3.4 million in three weeks — more than double the amount raised during the same time in 2001 after President Bush was first elected, the new Democratic chairman said Monday. Chairman Howard Dean (search) is working to keep Democrats competitive with a …

NEW YORK – Over the years, the rapper Jadakiss (search)has depicted a world of drug dealing, murder and other assorted mayhem without raising many eyebrows. But seven words in his new song “Why” — “Why did Bush knock down the towers?” — has gotten Jadakiss the most mainstream attention, and …

BOSTON – The independent engineering specialist who led an investigation into leaks at the $14.6 billion Big Dig (search) project says he can no longer vouch for the safety of its tunnels. “I am now unable to express an opinion as to the safety of the I-93 portion of the …

WASHINGTON – A Senate panel on Wednesday reluctantly accepted White House strictures on spending for a massive highway bill (search), but senators from both parties vowed to find more money for the popular construction and jobs measure when it reaches the Senate floor next month. The $284 billion bill to …

WASHINGTON – Barely two months after her husband Bob’s death, Doris Matsui (search) was sworn in Thursday to fill the Sacramento, Calif.-area House seat he held for 26 years. “Despite tragedy and heartbreak life indeed does go on, and I know that somewhere Bob is looking down and smiling,” the …

AUSTIN, Texas – The Friday night lights in Texas could soon be without bumpin’ and grindin’ cheerleaders. Legislation filed by Rep. Al Edwards (search) would put an end to “sexually suggestive” performances at athletic events and other extracurricular competitions. “It’s just too sexually oriented, you know, the way they’re shaking …

A second patient taking a recently suspended multiple sclerosis (search)-fighting drug, Tysabri (search), has contracted a rare disease of the central nervous system, the Irish and American companies who developed the highly touted medication confirmed Friday. Elan Corp. of Ireland and Biogen Idec Inc. of Cambridge, Mass., had announced Monday …

UNITED NATIONS – U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan (search) said Friday he would take prompt action in response to a highly critical investigative report about the troubled Oil-for-Food program. “Obviously there were some hard knocks in the report and we are concerned about it, and that is why we intend to …

WASHINGTON – Once its internal security forces are trained to handle violent insurgents, Iraq will require more time to build a military force strong enough to meet any threats from Iran or other neighbors, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld (search) says. Vice President Dick Cheney (search) and Rumsfeld, appearing separately …

PITTSBURGH – Generic drug maker Mylan Laboratories Inc. (MYL) and King Pharmaceuticals Inc. (KG), a branded drug maker, have agreed to call off their planned merger because they cannot agree on terms. Mylan, based in Pittsburgh, had made a $4 billion all-stock offer in July to buy Bristol, Tenn.-based King. …