International: AFGHAN-TIMES -- KABUL -- In one of the most lethal firefights for U.S. troops in the Afghan war, insurgents attack a pair of relatively lightly manned bases near the Pakistan border over the weekend, triggering a daylong battle that leaves eight Americans and as many as half a dozen Afghan troops dead. 810 words, by Laura King (Times). With AFGHAN, AFGHAN-POLICY. National: TIBET-POLICY -- WASHINGTON -- In an attempt to gain favor with China, the United States pressured Tibetan representatives to postpone a meeting between the Dalai Lama and President Barack Obama until after Obama's summit with his Chinese counterpart, Hu Jintao, scheduled for next month, according to diplomats, government officials and other sources familiar with the talks. By John Pomfret (Post). PARKS-JARVIS -- MARTINEZ, Calif. -- For Jon Jarvis, the newly named director of the National Park Service, the future of the 391-unit system promises controversy. 840 words, by Julie Cart (Times). HEALTH-MEDICAID -- WASHINGTON -- The nation's governors are emerging as a formidable lobbying force as health-care reform moves through Congress and states overburdened by the recession brace for the daunting prospect of providing coverage to millions of low-income residents. 1,130 words, by Shailagh Murray (Post). CALIF-FIRE -- WRIGHTWOOD, Calif. -- Firefighters battling to save the Southern California mountain town of Wrightwood express guarded optimism that they had halted a wind-driven blaze, providing relief to a community in the heart of fire country that was forced to evacuate for the first time in memory. 735 words, by Louis Sahagun and Jack Leonard (Times). WAVES-BLESSING -- HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. -- The Blessing of the Waves, an annual event that includes officials from several religions, attracts hundreds of people to celebrate the ocean through song and prayer. 450 words, by Nicole Santa Cruz (Times). One photo. Commentaries and news features are listed on the NEWSFEATURES-LAT-WP budget that moves daily at noon EST. 