(Reuters) - Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell on Monday called on the Obama administration to delay the October 1 opening of exchanges where uninsured Americans will be able to buy health insurance until the U.S. government can guarantee the protection of people's personal data.

The exchanges, a key element of the president's signature 2010 healthcare law dubbed "Obamacare," will be largely online.

In a letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the agency taking the lead in implementing the law, McConnell said that "Americans should not be forced into the exchanges, and certainly not without these assurances" that personal and financial data will be safe from "hackers and cyber criminals."

"If you rush to go forward without adequate safeguards in place," McConnell added, "any theft of personal information from constituents will be the result of your rush to implement a law to meet the agency's political needs and not the operational needs of the people it is supposed to serve."

The law, which aims to reduce the number of uninsured Americans and cut U.S. healthcare costs, was passed three years ago over unified Republican opposition in Congress. Congressional Republicans have sought numerous times since then to repeal it or block certain aspects of it from being implemented.

Concerns about data security arose last week after the inspector general of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a report saying CMS had missed several self-imposed deadlines for testing the security of the information technology that will power the insurance exchanges being set up in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. CMS is part of HHS.

As a result of the delays, a ruling by HHS's chief information officer certifying the security of the federal information technology system, which every state has to use for its own exchange, will be pushed back to September 30, a day before enrollment under the measure is due to start.

The delay in testing and certifying information technology security, experts said, could allow the exchanges to open with security flaws or force them to postpone when they begin to enroll people in health insurance.

On Friday, Oregon announced that individuals seeking to purchase health insurance on that state's exchange would not be able to do so when it opens on October 1 unless they use an agent or other individual who has been trained and given an account by the state. Cover Oregon, as the exchange is called, said the delay was not due to information technology issues alone but to overall concerns about the exchange's ability to meet the expected surge of customers.

In his letter, McConnell cited the inspector general's report, saying that "while I believe we ought to repeal this law and replace it with commonsense reforms that lower cost, Americans ought to be assured, at an absolute minimum, that their personal and financial data will be safe from data thieves."

In order to buy insurance on a state exchange, people must submit personal information that is then checked against data held on servers at the Internal Revenue Service and other government agencies, including income history.

The concerns about data security center on the possibility that someone could access those databases through the federal data services hub, which is being created especially for Obamacare and will connect information from all the U.S. agencies needed for someone to purchase insurance.

McConnell, who is trying to fend off a challenger from the conservative Tea Party movement in Kentucky's Republican Senate primary next May, opposed Obama's healthcare measure from its inception.

But he faces pressure from some conservative Republicans who are threatening a government shutdown on October 1 unless legislation is enacted by then to deny federal funding for the healthcare law.

(Reporting by Sharon Begley; Editing by Will Dunham)

Francis, the first pontiff from Latin America, is an avid soccer fan who roots for the Saints of San Lorenzo back in Buenos Aires. Since his election as pope in March he has accumulated a growing collection of soccer jerseys tossed to him by fans at his public appearances. He got two more on Tuesday: an Argentine and an Italian team jersey, each one signed by the players.

Barcelona star Messi, his teammates on the Argentine national soccer squad, as well as Italy's national team players were treated to a private audience with Francis in the Apostolic Palace ahead of Wednesday's rare match, which is being played in tribute to the new pope.

Francis gracefully dodged the question of whether he'd offer a papal blessing for his home country's team. "It will really be a bit difficult for me to root, but luckily it's a friendly match" whose outcome doesn't count in the standings, he said.

The pontiff noted the influence of athletes, especially on youth, and told the players to remember that, "for better or worse" they are role models. "Dear players, you are very popular. People follow you, and not just on the field but also off it," he said. "That's a social responsibility."

The pope reminisced about going to soccer matches with his family as a youngster, and expressed concern about violence and discrimination in the sport, which he suggested keeps many families from attending the competitions today.

Many soccer matches in Europe have been marred by brawling among fans as well as racist chants against players of African and other descent.

One of Italy's national team members, Mario Balotelli, who is black and has been the target of fans' racism, was the only player to get private time with the pope. Francis and the striker spoke together in a small room off the sumptuous Clementine Hall where the audience was held.

A Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Ciro Benedettini, said Balotelli looked "emotional" after their talk but that the player declined to say what he discussed with Francis. On Monday, Balotelli remarked that perhaps the pope might offer him special greetings because of his birthday this week.

Italian national coach Claudio Cesare Prandelli said he didn't get the chance to invite Francis to Wednesday's game.

"He anticipated my question," Prandelli said after the gathering. "He said he has received so many requests" to attend the game, but indicated that the Vatican security apparatus gave the thumbs-down.

Prandelli said Francis told him that Vatican security officials scold him "for being so undisciplined," a reference to the pope's frequent breaches of protocol when he embraces the faithful in crowds or shuns bullet-proof vehicles.

The pope also asked the players to pray for him, "so that I, on the 'field' upon which God placed me, can play an honest and courageous game for the good of us all."

Such a plea made quite an impression on Italy's captain, goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, who handed Francis an autographed soccer ball.

"He's warmed up the hearts again of all the faithful who might have drifted away" from the church during past papacies, Buffon said. With "a pope who's like this, it's easier to become better."

Messi said there were so many people at the gathering that he didn't get any private time to talk with the pope, who vigorously shook hands with each player. But the Argentine striker, whose left leg muscle strain could force him to sit out Wednesday's match, seemed to take the pope's message about role models to heart.

"The best way to respond" to Francis' appeal is "to put on a clean show tomorrow, on the field and in the stands," he said.

LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - The parents of troubled former actress Amanda Bynes have filed documents seeking a conservatorship following her confinement to a psychiatric hospital by California Sheriff's deputies.

TMZ reported that Lynn Organ and Rick Bynes will be in court on Friday to try to obtain a temporary conservatorship allowing them to control their 27-year-old daughter's affairs - much like the one Britney Spears' father obtained in 2008.

Bynes was detained by Ventura County sheriff's deputies and placed on a 5150 hold on Monday after setting fire to an elderly neighbor's driveway and her pants. Her behavior had became increasingly erratic over the past several months, with strange tweets and an arrest for throwing a bong out the window of her New York City apartment (Bynes claimed the object was a vase).

Amanda Bynes' most recent tweet was on July 19. She currently has over 3 million followers.

TOKYO (Reuters) - The fashion world is the setting for the latest book by bestselling novelist Danielle Steel, a prolific author who continues to produce several books a year.

"First Sight", which appeared in mid-July, is the story of Timmie O'Neill who has created a ready-to-wear fashion empire after a difficult childhood and a past she wants to forget.

Steel, 65, who has written nearly 100 adult novels and a number of children's books, spoke to Reuters about the book, her career and how she managed to write while raising nine children:

Q: What was the inspiration for "First Sight"?

A: I'm always looking to write about different things. I had never written in depth about a woman involved with a married man so that started the idea and then I got interested in writing about the challenges of working in the ready-to-wear fashion industry. I particularly like writing about people who overcome difficulties or tragedies and turn their lives around. After a terrible childhood, Timmie O"Neill makes something wonderful of her life. All of that appealed to me and it inspires people to think that others can do that.

Q: What appealed to you about Timmie?

A: What interested me about Timmie was her overcoming a painful childhood and tragedy as an adult and, in spite of that, she creates a remarkable life for herself. One can't help but admire that.

Q: How have your characters evolved to match the times? Would somebody like Timmie have been accepted at the start of your career?

A: Somebody like Timmie would undoubtedly have captivated readers at the start of my career, but when I first published at 19, I wouldn't have had the insight to write about her and understand her motivations well myself.

My books have moved forward with the times in that relationships are different now, and some of the challenges people face are different in a world of more liberated women, relationships harder to find - as witnessed by the proliferation of computer dating - and harder to maintain for a multitude of reasons. Family units are more unusual with a wide variety of options. It is common for single people to adopt children now and raise them on their own, or have children out of wedlock, which wasn't nearly as common or acceptable 20 years ago. And women are under enormous pressure now, with big jobs and enormous stress they didn't have 20 or 30 years ago. These are challenging times, in many ways, for families, men and women, and individuals, in a far more uncertain world.

Q: How have you changed as a writer?

A: Life teaches all of us new views and perspectives, if we are willing to learn the lessons life doles out to us. My approach to writing is still the same: put bottom in chair, and keep it there for 20 or 22 hours straight, and keep at it until you drop, to get the best out of oneself, and get the story and all its nuances on the page. I have always worked very hard, and still do, perhaps harder as I strive to get better and write better with each book. Fortunately the challenge of telling the story, and doing the very best I can, is still fun to me.

Q: You've been quite prolific. How did you manage to accomplish so much?

A: I don't sleep a lot and never did. Fortunately I don't need a lot of sleep or I could never have had nine children and written as many books. I'm also willing to sacrifice my personal time for my children and my work. I rarely, if ever, have lunch with friends and don't go out socially when I can be with my kids or am writing.

Q: Advice for aspiring writers?

A: My best advice for young writers, or anyone in any field, or just in life, is perseverance. Keep at what you're doing, try not to get discouraged, keep going no matter what. I always remind young writers that my first book got published fairly easily but no one bought the next five books I wrote.

I kept writing, and from my seventh book on, the books started to sell, slowly at first, but with a forward momentum. If you really want to be a writer, you have to harden yourself to rejection, keep trying to improve, learn your craft, and keep writing. As in anything, persistence wins the prize.

(Reporting by Elaine Lies)

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks dipped on Wednesday, with investors reluctant to make big bets before the Federal Reserve publishes the minutes of its July policy-setting meeting.

Retail stocks were among the weakest of the day, with several names falling sharply after results that pointed to continued consumer weakness.

Market participants have been cautious recently, with the S&P 500 dropping for five of the past six sessions amid uncertainty over how soon the Fed will begin to wind down its $85 billion a month stimulus program.

The central bank policymakers have said the policy, which has fueled Wall Street's steep gains this year, could be slowed as early as September, assuming economic growth meets its targets.

The Fed minutes, scheduled to be released at 2 p.m. EDT, may provide clues to the timing and scope of the potential easing.

"Everyone is searching for clarity. There's confusion over how much things will be tapered, if at all, and while there may not be any surprise, everyone is waiting to dissect what comes out," said Mike Gibbs, co-head of the equity advisory group at Raymond James in Memphis, Tennessee.

In the latest economic report, U.S. home resales rose in July to their highest level in over three years, suggesting that a surge in mortgage rates is having only a limited impact on the housing market recovery.

The Dow Jones industrial averagewas down 55.09 points, or 0.37 percent, at 14,947.90. The Standard & Poor's 500 Indexwas down 5.41 points, or 0.33 percent, at 1,646.94. The Nasdaq Composite Indexwas down 9.06 points, or 0.25 percent, at 3,604.53.

The S&P 500 rose on Tuesday to halt a four-day losing streak but remained under technical pressure as it closed below its 50-day moving average for a third straight session. The level, near 1,658, is becoming technical resistance.

"I was hoping to see follow-up to (Tuesday's) rally, but so far, the sellers are back in control," said Gibbs, who helps oversee $450 billion in assets. "Keeping yesterday's momentum is important."

Retailers were in focus for a second day, with earnings reports from Lowe's, Target and others. The SPDR S&P Retail ETFfell 1.5 percent.

Staplesreported weaker-than-expected quarterly results on dismal sales in international markets and cut its outlook for the year. Shares slumped 13 percent to $14.60 as the S&P's biggest loser.

Targetwarned its annual profit may be near the low end of its forecast as consumer spending remains cautious, sending shares down 3.5 percent to $65.51.

Petsmartdropped 4.1 percent to $71.90 after its results, while American Eagle Outfittersslumped 9.7 percent to $14.79 after giving a weak outlook.

American Eagle weighed on Abercrombie & Fitch , which sank 3.8 percent to $46.64.

On the upside, home improvement chain Lowe'srose 4.9 percent to $46.27 after it reported a bigger-than-expected rise in profit and sales as the housing market's recovery encouraged people to spend more on their homes.

Financial shareswere among the weakest of the day, dropping 0.5 percent. Goldman Sachswas one of the biggest drags on the sector, down 1.2 percent at $157.59.

Market makers and traders waited to hear details on a flood of erroneous trades that hit U.S. equity options markets on Tuesday when Goldman Sachssent orders accidentally because of a technical error.

Shares of Toll Brothersrose 0.6 percent to $31.82 after the largest U.S. luxury homebuilder reported a jump in revenue as the recovery in the housing market gathered pace.

Incyte Corpsoared 29 percent to $34.88 after the company reported positive data from a mid-stage cancer drug trial.

(Editing by Bernadette Baum and Kenneth Barry)

I know folks are curious, but these comments are hurtful. The details of my sons' lives are private, to be shared as they grow in age-appropriate ways. They know they are adopted, but are too young to know the details surrounding their lives prior to joining our family. I do not want to have an in-depth conversation with every person who asks a nosy question. These questions always seem to come up when the kids are around and I feel unprepared to answer them.

Do you have any suggestions for a witty and confident response that can shut down these questions? I don't want my boys to be ashamed that they were adopted, but I also don't want the details out there for public consumption. -- ADOPTED MOM IN INDY

DEAR ADOPTED MOM: That someone would be so insensitive as to pose those questions in front of the children is disconcerting. While I can't think of a "witty" response that would deter the questioner, I can think of one that would be effective. Look the person in the eye, smile and say, "Oh, that's a long story, but look at what beautiful sons I have. I feel truly blessed."

DEAR ABBY: My parents died when I was a teenager. In the years since I have noticed strange things. While I don't find pennies, I do often see streetlights turn off right before I drive under them. I drive a lot at night and in the early morning because I work graveyard shifts, and it seems to happen almost every day when I go to work or come home.

I guess it could be coincidental. But a friend suggested years ago that it's my parents letting me know they're watching over me. I want to believe, yet I feel skeptical at the same time. Have you ever heard of anything like it? -- LIGHTS OUT IN FEDERAL WAY, WASH.

DEAR LIGHTS OUT: The only time I have heard of anything like what you're experiencing has been when I happened to change channels and come upon a television show about the paranormal. More important than what I believe is what you choose to believe. If the reassurance that your parents are watching over you brings you comfort, then I am all for it.

DEAR ABBY: This idea may appeal to the parents of young children: Celebrate "half-birthdays." (The concept is derived from the "Half-Birthday Song" in "Alice in Wonderland.")

A year to a young child is a long time. In addition to recognizing the joy that he/she was born, it's a start to learning the structure of our calendar. It doesn't have to involve a big party or gifts, just a special activity day with a parent. Our family has observed half-birthdays for 45 years and have found it to be a worthwhile tradition. -- FUN MOM

DEAR FUN MOM: The title of the song you mentioned is actually "The UNbirthday Song," but I'm in favor of anything that will bring parents and children closer. If the household is headed by a single working parent, then I'll bet a grandparent would be delighted for the chance to celebrate that special occasion.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Write Dear Abby ator P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

To receive a collection of Abby's most memorable -- and most frequently requested -- poems and essays, send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $7 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby -- Keepers Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. Shipping and handling are included in the price.

Pettersen putted superbly in the morning's foursomes at Colorado Golf Club as Europe opened up a surprise 3-1 advantage, then virtually single-handedly paved the way to a second victory in the afternoon fourballs, which were split 2-2 overall.

In tandem with Cup rookie Beatriz Recari of Spain, Pettersen won a tight foursomes match 2&1 against Americans Brittany Lang and Angela Stanford before linking up with another Spaniard, Carlota Ciganda, to beat Stacy Lewis and Lexi Thompson one up.

"This competition never gets old," smiled the 32-year-old Pettersen, who is competing in her seventh Solheim Cup along with six rookies on the European team. "It just brings out the best of you.

"I am really enjoying playing with these youngsters. I am so proud of them. And Carlota, she was a super star. She hung in there tough. This was a fantastic point."

Pettersen and Ciganda earned Europe's fifth and final point of the day as they recovered from two down at the turn to beat Women's British Open champion Lewis and Thompson in the first fourball match out.

The Americans had claimed the first point of the afternoon when Brittany Lincicome and Brittany Lang came back from one down after five holes to beat Anna Nordqvist and Giulia Sergas 4&3.

"We always play well together," said Lang, who sank a four-foot putt at the par-five 15th to seal victory. "We have similar personalities, we have fun out there and we feed off each other.

"We did a really good job today when one person wasn't doing too well to pick up the slack. That's clutch."

CLOSE CONTEST

Caroline Hedwall and Caroline Masson never trailed before winning a close contest against Americans Angela Stanford and Gerina Piller 2&1 and the U.S. levelled the fourballs when Cristie Kerr and Michelle Wie beat Catriona Matthew and Charley Hull 2&1.

"I played really, really well and made a lot of putts," said Kerr. "I just tried to keep us in there, make a big putt when I needed to and I did that a few times."

However, the tone for the day was set in the first match out when Swedes Nordqvist and Caroline Hedwall earned Europe's first point with a 4&2 win over Lewis and Lizette Salas.

"We have been playing pretty solid the last couple of weeks and I think we were both very excited," said the statuesque Nordqvist, 26. "It feels like both our forms are really good. It was just so much fun out there today."

Pettersen and Recari followed suit with their victory over Lang and Stanford before Morgan Pressel and Jessica Korda put the first red number on the board for the U.S., beating Matthew and Jodi Ewart-Shadoff 3&2.

Europe, who are bidding to win the trophy on American soil for the first time, ended a memorable morning when Azahara Munoz and Karine Icher upset the heavyweight U.S. duo of Kerr and Paula Creamer 2&1.

Former major winners Kerr and Creamer, playing in the anchor match, had not previously lost in three encounters together but were undone as their opponents took control with three successive birdies from the eighth.

"We just didn't seem to get any momentum right off the bat," said Kerr, who is also playing in her seventh Solheim Cup.

"We missed a couple of greens and they threw some long bombs at us on eight, nine and 10. We really didn't get the momentum until the last few holes and then it's too late," she said greenside.

(Reporting by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Tony Jimenez/Ian Ransom)

Democratic leaders have generally supported the president's approach. But on Sunday, Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., said he would end aid to Egypt. Ellison is the first Muslim elected to Congress and is co-chairman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

"I would cut off aid but engage in intense diplomacy in Egypt and in the region to try to say, look, we will restore aid when you stop the bloodshed in the street and set up a path towards democracy that you were on before," Ellison said. "In my mind, there's no way to say that this was not a coup. It is. We should say so. And then follow our own law, which says we cannot fund the coup leaders."

National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said funding for Egypt remains under review.

"As we've made clear, all of our assistance to Egypt is currently under review, and we will consider additional steps as we deem necessary," Hayden said. "At this point, no additional decisions have been made regarding assistance. That review process is ongoing."

Among Republicans, there were growing calls to eliminate military aid to Egypt. But others were more hesitant.

Rep. Pete King, R-N.Y., said curtailing aid could reduce U.S. influence over Egypt's interim government, which controls access to strategic resources, including the Suez Canal.

"We certainly shouldn't cut off all aid," said King, who chairs the House panel on counterterrorism and intelligence.

King said there are no good choices in Egypt. Ousted President Mohammed Morsi, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood, was democratically elected. But, King said, the group has not demonstrated a commitment to democracy.

"The fact is, there's no good guys there," King said. "But of the two, I think there is more opportunity to protect American interests if we work with the military and continue our relationship with the military."

The split among members of the same political party illustrates the uncertainty facing President Barack Obama as he tries to navigate volatile developments in Egypt, where crackdowns last week left more than 600 people dead and thousands more injured.

Obama has denounced the violence, canceled joint military exercises scheduled for September and delayed the delivery of four F-16 fighter jets. But the White House has refused to declare Morsi's removal a coup a step that would require Obama to suspend $1.3 billion in annual military aid. The president insists that the U.S. stands with Egyptians seeking a democratic government. But he says America cannot determine Egypt's future.

Sen. John McCain of Arizona renewed his call Sunday to stop aid as the Egyptian military continues to crack down on protesters seeking Morsi's return.

"For us to sit by and watch this happen is a violation of everything that we stood for," said the senior Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee. "We're not sticking with our values."

The military ousted Morsi July 3 after millions of Egyptians took to the streets to demand he step down, accusing him of giving the Brotherhood undue influence and failing to implement vital reforms or bolster the ailing economy.

But Rep. Eliot Engel, D-N.Y., said he supports the president's approach.

"These are very, very difficult choices," said Engel, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. "I'm very unhappy, obviously, with the crackdown. But we essentially have two choices in Egypt. And that's a military government, which hopefully will transition as quickly as possible to civilian government, or the Muslim Brotherhood. I don't think the Muslim Brotherhood is a choice."

Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., said Congress should give the president flexibility in dealing with Egypt.

"I do believe we have to change our aid," said Reed, a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. "I think also we have to have included in the legislation a national security waiver, because we have to give the president not only the responsibility to deal with the government of Egypt but also flexibility."

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., said U.S. aid to Egypt was more likely to "buy a chateau in Paris" for an Egyptian military leader than "bread in Cairo" for the poor.

"I don't think we're buying any friendship with the Egyptian people," Paul said, especially when people see tanks supplied by the U.S. to the Egyptian military on the streets of Cairo.

"We are not winning the hearts and minds of the Egyptian people," said Paul, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. "The aid has to end."

Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., had resisted calls to cut off aid. But on Sunday, he switched positions.

"I think we need to look at the tiers of our aid," said Corker, top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. "Let's face it, most of the aid has gone out the door this year."

Corker said he expects Congress to debate next year's aid this fall, after lawmakers return from their summer recess.

"Look, I condemn what's happened with the military, but I also condemn what in essence was a political coup by the Muslim Brotherhood," Corker said. "And we need to move this debate along and this fall, hopefully, again, focus on what is our national interests. And there still are things within Egypt that are very much in our national interest. And we need to keep the lines of communication open."

McCain spoke on CNN's "State of the Union," King and Paul made their comments on "Fox News Sunday," Reed spoke on NBC's "Meet the Press" and Engel, Ellison and Corker appeared on ABC's "This Week."

___

Follow Stephen Ohlemacher on Twitter: http://twitter.com/stephenatap

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