24+DEC

 **** __Recession Slows Population Rise Across Sun Belt__ **** By DAMIEN CAVE The states that grew fast during the real estate boom are now experiencing declines, the Census Bureau reported.

****NEWS ANALYSIS**** **** __In Senate Vote on Health Care Overhaul, New Partisan Vitriol__ **** By DAVID M. HERSZENHORN The Senate’s final vote on the health care bill, set for 7 a.m. Thursday, will mark the culmination of more than a generation of polarization of the American political system.

**** __Trial in China Signals New Limits on Dissent__ **** By ANDREW JACOBS Liu Xiaobo, one of China’s most vocal democracy advocates, faces up to 15 years in prison on charges of “incitement to subvert state power.” **** __Perplexity After Auschwitz Sign Theft__ **** By JUDY DEMPSEY Lax security has been blamed in the temporary loss of a Holocaust emblem.

**** __Vatican Defends Status of WWII Pope__ **** By RACHEL DONADIO Trying to calm tensions with Jewish groups, the Vatican said a decision on Pope Pius XII was not an act of hostility.

**** __Bin Laden Daughter in Iran Seeks Refuge__ **** By SCOTT SHANE A daughter of Osama bin Laden took refuge in the Saudi Embassy in Tehran, and family members are trying to leave Iran for Saudi Arabia or Syria, one of Mr. bin Laden’s sons said. **** __Taking Hold in Silicon Valley, a Ping-Pong Boom__ **** By PATRICIA LEIGH BROWN The India Community Center in Milpitas, Calif., houses the largest Ping-Pong training program for youths in the U.S. and is an influential hatchery for Olympic hopefuls.

**** __At Fort Hood, Reaching Out to Soldiers at Risk__ **** By JAMES DAO After the Nov. 5 shootings, the post is trying to show that it can care for its frailest and most battle-weary soldiers.

**** __Bridge Closing Has Isolated Area Feeling More So__ **** By KATIE ZEZIMA Residents and businesses in Vermont and New York have suffered since the Lake Champlain Bridge was closed in October. **** __Banks Bundled Bad Debt, Bet Against It and Won__ **** By GRETCHEN MORGENSON and LOUISE STORY Investigators are trying to determine whether banks like Goldman Sachs intentionally sold their clients especially risky mortgage-linked assets.

**** __Loan Program May Stir Dormant Nuclear Industry__ **** By MATTHEW L. WALD The Energy Department is set to announce $18.5 billion in loan guarantees to build nuclear reactors.

**** __Chilly Climate for Oil Refiners__ **** By JAD MOUAWAD Falling demand for gasoline has the nation’s oil refiners mired in a crisis, and analysts say worse times may be ahead.