// a href = ./ //

ST. LOUIS (AP) — More than 1,000 college students from across the country and abroad have descended on St. Louis this weekend in search of both inspiration and philanthropic generosity.

Former President Bill Clinton's philanthropic foundation is hosting the event at Washington University. Celebrities such as actors Matthew Perry and Jada Pinkett Smith and comedian Stephen Colbert (kohl-BEHR') joined Clinton at a series of workshops and panel discussions on topics ranging from world hunger and prescription drug abuse to the spiraling national debt.

Student participants say they feel both inspired and challenged by the business and civic leaders and human rights activists leading the discussions. Some are also using the opportunity to pitch service projects to potential donors gathered at the campus event.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A sweeping anti-abortion bill is headed to Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback.

The House gave final approval Friday to the measure, which blocks tax breaks for abortion providers and outlaws abortions performed solely because of the baby's sex.

The measure also declares that life begins "at fertilization," language that abortion opponents call a statement of principle and not an outright ban on abortion, though the bill's opponents are skeptical.

Brownback is likely to sign the bill into law.

Abortion opponents argue the bill lessens the state's entanglement with terminating pregnancies. Abortion-rights advocates say it threatens access to abortion services.

The bill also prohibits abortion providers from being involved in public school sex education classes and spells out in greater detail what information doctors must provide to patients before performing abortions.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Confronting bipartisan criticism, President Barack Obama is conceding that his proposed budget is not his "ideal plan." But he says it offers "tough reforms" to the nation's benefit programs while closing loopholes for the wealthy.

Obama argues his approach will provide long-term deficit reduction without harming the economy.

In his first comments about a budget he is to release next week, Obama says he intends to reduce deficits while providing new spending for public works projects, early education and job training.

Obama says in his weekly radio and Internet address that he's willing to compromise to move beyond what he calls "a cycle of short-term, crisis-driven decision-making."

In the Republican address, Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback says that ideas for fixing the federal government are coming from the states.