Imploring both political parties to give ground, President Barack Obama declared Monday he would reject any stopgap extension of the nation's borrowing limit, adding fresh urgency for Republicans and fellow Democrats to resolve intense tax and spending disputes and head off economic calamity.

Chronic health conditions, most of which are somewhat self-inflicted, drive chronic health spending, which makes things more expensive for all of us.

A rookie wage scale and free agency for veterans appear to be the biggest stumbling blocks to ending the NFL lockout.

With the clock ticking toward an Aug. 2 deadline, congressional leaders return to the White House Monday for another round of budget bargaining with President Barack Obama, who has warned top lawmakers he will call daily meetings until they break their partisan stalemate.