WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House says the U.S. embassy in Kabul is working with President Hamid Karzai to crack down on corruption and improve governance in Afghanistan. Spokesman Robert Gibbs says President Barack Obama wants a serious approach with concrete steps to end corruption.

WASHINGTON (AP) — German Chancellor Angela Merkel (AHN'-geh-lah MEHR'-kuhl) has told Congress that the world "has no time to lose" in dealing with climate change. Merkel received full standing ovations during her speech to a joint meeting of Congress, but many Republicans remained seated during her climate remarks.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A key lawmaker says recent court decisions blocking the suspensions of two NFL players threatens to undermine progress made in reducing the use of performance-enhancing drugs in sports. At hearing on Capitol Hill, Rep. Henry Waxman says if allowed to stand, those ruling "could render the NFL and Major League Baseball drug testing programs unenforceable."

HARVEY, La. (AP) — The Army Corps of Engineers has broken ground on one of the last major pieces of an improved levee system for New Orleans. Crews are working on a $1 billion floodgate and pump project designed to block a hurricane surge from flooding the suburbs on the West Bank of the Mississippi River.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Snake hunters have snared 37 pythons in South Florida. State wildlife officials granted permits for a trial hunting season aimed at eradicating the invasive species. The season ended at the end of October, but officials hope to do it again next year. South Florida's python population has exploded in the past decade. Scientists say pet owners may be to blame.