Israel Proposes 10-Month West Bank Settlement Halt Israel on Wednesday proposed a 10-month halt to new construction in West Bank settlements as a step toward restarting Mideast peace negotiations. Washington welcomed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s offer, but the Palestinians swiftly rejected it because it did not include a building freeze in Jewish neighborhoods in east Jerusalem, the mainly Arab sector of the city they want as the capital of a future state. Mark Lavie, AP NEWS - 3 minutes ago
AP Newsbreak: Records Show WH Health Care Talks Top aides to President Barack Obama met early and often with lobbyists, Democratic political strategists and other interests with a stake in the administration’s national health care overhaul, White House visitor records obtained Wednesday by The Associated Press show. Sharon Theimer, AP NEWS - 5 minutes ago
Ga. Nurse Anesthetist Accused of Abusing Patients A metro Atlanta nurse anesthetist has been charged with molesting and sodomizing anesthetized patients in dental and medical offices, and police say the videotaped abuses could involve 100 or more victims. Greg Bluestein, AP FEATURES - 9 minutes ago
Lambert Says He Got Carried Away, But Not Sorry Adam Lambert admits he got carried away with his sexually charged American Music Awards performance, but he’s offering no apology. David Bauder, AP NEWS - 9 minutes ago
Energy Prices on the Rise Despite Huge Supply The dollar’s sway over energy markets was on full display Wednesday, with oil and gasoline futures rising sharply as the U.S. currency tumbled to 15-month lows. Dirk Lammers, AP NEWS - 10 minutes ago
Drywall Investigation Expands Into US Products A federal probe of tainted Chinese drywall has broadened because a small number of homeowners are reporting that American-made drywall is causing some of the same problems: a sickening, sulfurous stench and corroded pipes and wiring. Brian Skoloff, AP NEWS - 10 minutes ago
APNewsBreak: Chairs of NFL Concussion Panel Resign Commissioner Roger Goodell sent a wide-ranging memo about concussions to NFL teams, saying the co-chairmen of the league’s committee on brain injuries have resigned and that he is examining potential rule changes “to reduce head impacts.” Howard Fendrich, AP NEWS - 11 minutes ago
Ky. Court Says State Must Readopt Lethal Injection The Kentucky Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that the state improperly adopted the same three-drug lethal injection protocol that was upheld in the nation’s highest court and is used by dozens of other states. Brett Barrouquere, AP NEWS - 14 minutes ago
Year After NY Stampede, Black Friday Gets Makeover Victoria Rogers had originally planned to make an early stop the day after Thanksgiving last year at the Walmart store in Valley Stream on Long Island. Her last-minute decision against it might have saved her life. Frank Eltman, AP NEWS - 14 minutes ago
Wash. Court Reinstates $8M Award Against Hyundai The state Supreme Court on Wednesday reinstated an $8 million default judgment against Hyundai Motor Co. in a lawsuit over the backward collapse of a front seat in a 1997 crash that left a man paralyzed. Rachel La Corte, AP NEWS - 14 minutes ago
Dog With Name Tag ‘Works’ Drive-Through Window Customers at one Gulf coast gas station might be surprised at who responds to the counter when they pull up to the drive-through window: The store owner’s dog. Dozens of times each day, Cody the chocolate Labradaor retriever will pop up on two paws behind the counter at a BP gas station and convenience store in Clearwater. He even has a BP logo shirt and a name tag. Customers grin and kids squeal with joy in response. Staff, AP NEWS - 14 minutes ago
Police: Barefoot Thief Steals Shoes for Left Feet It didn’t take Knoxville police gumshoes to track down a suspected shoe thief. He was sauntering barefoot through the parking lot of a Knoxville store called the Shoe Show Wednesday morning when an employee identified him as the man who crammed shoes into his pockets and pushed her out of his way as he walked out Tuesday night. Staff, AP NEWS - 15 minutes ago
Jet-Winged Adventurer Ditches in Atlantic, Unhurt A Swiss adventurer trying to soar from Morocco to Spain on jet-powered wings ditched safely into the Atlantic on Wednesday after hitting turbulence and clouds so thick he could not tell if he was flying up or down. Daniel Woolls, AP NEWS - 18 minutes ago
Israel Swap Stalls Over ‘Group’ of Palestinian Militants Israel is refusing to free a group of Palestinian prisoners demanded by Hamas in exchange for a captured Israeli soldier, officials close to the talks on a deal said on Wednesday. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 20 minutes ago
In Recession, ‘Up in the Air’ Touches Down on Time “Up in the Air” has undergone the rarest of flights: It was delayed for a long time and its course was altered, yet it has arrived right on time. Jake Coyle, AP NEWS - 25 minutes ago
NYC to Pay Man Who Falsely Confessed to Killing The City of New York has agreed to pay $340,000 to an autistic man who spent a year in jail after confessing to a killing he didn’t commit. Staff, AP NEWS - 25 minutes ago
Obama Pardons Thanksgiving Turkey While “Courage” the turkey is getting a second lease on life, tens of millions of travelers across America are hoping for their own hassle-free Thanksgiving holiday. Reuters Video, REUTERS NEWS VIDEO - 27 minutes ago
Italian Prosecutors Seek Jail for Google Execs An Italian prosecutor demanded jail time Wednesday for four Google executives charged in absentia with defamation and violating privacy for allowing a video to be posted online showing an autistic youth being abused. Colleen Barry, AP NEWS - 29 minutes ago
Thousands Comment on Monsanto’s Planned Idaho Mine A proposed Monsanto Co. phosphate mine slated to produce ingredients for Roundup weedkiller generated nearly 7,000 public comments, including from a former U.S. Interior secretary who urges its approval and the Environmental Protection Agency, which wants additional pollution safeguards. John Miller, AP NEWS - 29 minutes ago
Execution Can Proceed Under New Ohio Standards An inmate whose execution was put on hold as he argued that Ohio’s method of lethal injection was unconstitutional can die as scheduled next month, now that the state has instituted a different method, a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday. Lisa Cornwell, AP NEWS - 30 minutes ago
Regulators Approve ‘OU Spirit’ Wind Farm Plan The University of Oklahoma’s plan to power its Norman campus with wind energy was approved Wednesday by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. Tim Talley, AP NEWS - 31 minutes ago
Putin’s Rare Siberian Tiger Goes Missing A rare Siberian tiger that Vladimir Putin fitted with a radio-tracking collar is alive and well, the Russian prime minister’s spokesman said Wednesday, easing concerns raised when an environmentalist said the tracking device had gone silent. Liya Khabarova, AP NEWS - 32 minutes ago
China: Rich Nations Must Cap Pollution Emissions China will seek binding pollution targets for developed countries and reject similar requirements for itself at an international climate summit next month, China’s top climate envoy said Wednesday. Staff, AP NEWS - 33 minutes ago
Ariz. Prison on Lockdown After Fight Involving 100 A fight broke out Wednesday among more than 100 inmates at an Arizona prison, injuring three inmates and a corrections officer, a corrections official said. Staff, AP NEWS - 36 minutes ago
QLT to Pay $20 Million to Settle Visudyne Lawsuit Canadian biotechnology company QLT Inc. said Wednesday it will pay Massachusetts General Hospital $20 million to settle a lawsuit over product royalties. Staff, AP NEWS - 37 minutes ago
The Nuts and Bolts of Black Friday The nation’s stores usher in the traditional start of the holiday shopping season Friday with extended hours, freebies and deep discounts on everything from toys to flat-panel TVs. Anne D'Innocenzio, AP NEWS - 41 minutes ago
S. America Floods Kill 12; Thousands Evacuate Officials say flooding from heavy rains has killed 12 people in three South American nations and forced more than 20,000 to flee their homes. Staff, AP NEWS - 41 minutes ago
Computer Sciences Gets $2.9B Service Contract Computer Sciences Corp. said Wednesday that it signed a new data center and information technology infrastructure management service agreement with Zurich Financial Services Group. Staff, AP NEWS - 42 minutes ago
AmREIT Closes Deal to Combine With REITPlus AmREIT, a real estate investment trust, said Wednesday that its shareholders and those of its affiliate, REITPlus Inc., have approved a plan to combine the two. Staff, AP NEWS - 42 minutes ago
Somalia: 2 Kidnapped Journalists Freed A Canadian and Australian journalist were freed on Wednesday after more than a year in captivity, Somali officials said. Mohamed Olad Hassan, AP NEWS - 42 minutes ago
Washington Post to Close Remaining US Bureaus The Washington Post will close its remaining U.S. bureaus in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago at the end of the year to save money and will focus news efforts on covering the nation’s capital. Staff, AP NEWS - 46 minutes ago
Stores Look to Basics to Draw in Holiday Shoppers As stores prepare for hordes of Black Friday shoppers and mark down high-definition TVs and hot toys, they’re also pushing deals on something more mundane — necessities like socks and diapers. Anne D'Innocenzio, AP NEWS - 49 minutes ago
Search Crew Working to Free Man Stuck in Cave Rescuers chipped away with air-powered tools in a narrow tunnel Wednesday to free a man trapped upside down about 150 feet below ground in a popular Utah cave. Staff, AP NEWS - 49 minutes ago
State-Run Magazine Reports on Black Jails in China It read like a muckraking expose: A magazine revealed a system of secret detention centers in Beijing where Chinese citizens are forcibly held and sometimes beaten to prevent them from lodging formal complaints with the central government. Tini Tran, AP NEWS - 52 minutes ago
Salvation Army’s Iconic Kettles Now Credit Ready There could be less jingle in the Salvation’s Army’s hallmark red kettles this season. The charity is testing kettles that take debit and credit cards. Kristen Wyatt, AP NEWS - 52 minutes ago
Meetings Should Be on Companies' Yearend Calendars With the end of the year approaching, small business owners should be scheduling meetings to help them plan for a hopefully stronger 2010. Joyce M. Rosenberg, AP NEWS - 53 minutes ago
Ga. Nurse Anesthetist Accused of Abusing Patients Police say a metro Atlanta nurse anesthetist has been charged with molesting and sodomizing anesthetized patients in dental and medical offices, and they say the videotaped abuses could involve 100 or more victims. Greg Bluestein, AP FEATURES - 54 minutes ago
Beal Bank Makes Its Own Bid for 3 Trump Casinos A Dallas bank that was once allied with Donald Trump in a bid to buy the three Atlantic City Trump casinos out of bankruptcy now wants to buy them on its own. Staff, AP NEWS - 56 minutes ago
Algae Toxins Found in Endangered Fish in Klamath Toxins from a blue-green algae plaguing lakes and rivers around the West have been found in endangered fish in the Klamath Basin, adding another obstacle to restoring species that have forced irrigation shutoffs for farmers. Jeff Barnard, AP NEWS - 57 minutes ago
Honduras Elections Police officers inspect a damaged window after an explosion in front of the Supreme Court building in Tegucigalpa, Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009. The early morning blast blew out windows in the building, but no injuries were reported. Honduras general elections are scheduled for Nov. 29. (AP Photo/Fernando Antonio) Fernando Antonio, AP NEWS - 58 minutes ago
Honduras Elections Police officers inspect a damaged window, right, near where damage can be seen to a wall after an explosion in front of the Supreme Court building in Tegucigalpa, Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009. The early morning blast blew out windows in the building, but no injuries were reported. Honduras general elections are scheduled for Nov. 29. (AP Photo/Fernando Antonio) Fernando Antonio, AP NEWS - 58 minutes ago
Honduras Vote to Sideline President, Enshrine Coup Sunday’s election will likely accomplish what the plotters of a coup set out to do five months ago: end the political career of leftist President Manuel Zelaya and replace him with a more moderate leader from Honduras' establishment. Alexandra Olson, AP NEWS - 58 minutes ago
Mo. Ordered to Pay $152,000 to Janitorial Company A Missouri trial judge Wednesday ordered the state to pay $152,000 for illegally terminating a janitorial company’s state contracts when the firm was targeted by an immigration sting. Chris Blank, AP NEWS - 64 minutes ago
Obama to Outline US Climate Goals at Copenhagen President Barack Obama will commit the United States to a goal of substantial cuts in greenhouse gas pollution over the next decade when he travels to a widely anticipated climate conference in Copenhagen next month. Julie Pace and H. Josef Hebert, AP NEWS - 64 minutes ago
Treasurys Strengthen on High Demand for 7-Yr Notes Treasury prices mainly rose Wednesday after a strong auction for seven-year notes. Bond prices had slumped earlier in the day on rising stocks and upbeat reports on the economy. Staff, AP NEWS - 66 minutes ago
Global Energy Holdings Group Files Chapter 11 Global Energy Holdings Group, an Atlanta-based renewable energy company, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Delaware. Staff, AP NEWS - 68 minutes ago
Sage Grouse Numbers Down in Northeast Wyoming Sage grouse numbers are down in northeast Wyoming for a second year in a row and have reached their lowest levels since 1995, according to a state game official. Staff, AP NEWS - 70 minutes ago
Number of Active Rigs Increase by 24 The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. this week has risen by 24 this week to 1,137. Staff, AP NEWS - 72 minutes ago
Stocks Rise Following Drop in Jobless Claims Stocks climbed Wednesday following a drop in weekly unemployment claims to the lowest level of the year and a rise in new home sales. Tim Paradis and Ieva M. Augstums, AP NEWS - 74 minutes ago
Top 15 Cable Programs for Nov. 16-22 Rankings for the top 15 programs on cable networks as compiled by the Nielsen Co. for the week of Nov. 16-22. Day and start time (EST) are in parentheses: The Associated Press, AP NEWS - 74 minutes ago
GM to Build New Midsize Buick at Canadian Factory General Motors Co. will build a new Buick midsize car at its assembly plant in Oshawa, Ontario, the company announced Wednesday. Staff, AP NEWS - 77 minutes ago
Canadian Nat'l Engineer Union Threatens Strike Canadian National Railway Co., one of North America’s largest railroads, says it received notice from the union representing its locomotive engineers in Canada that they plan to go on strike Saturday. Staff, AP NEWS - 78 minutes ago
Swiss Court Grants Polanski Bail: Official Switzerland’s top criminal court on Wednesday granted bail to film-maker Roman Polanski, saying his offer of 4.5 million dollars and to go under house arrest was enough to prevent his escape. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 79 minutes ago
‘No Reason’ to Appeal Polanski Release: Swiss Justice Minister Swiss Justice Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf said Wednesday she sees “no reason” to challenge a federal criminal court decision earlier in the day to grant bail to film-maker Roman Polanski. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 79 minutes ago
Geldof in Ethiopia to Mark 25 Years Since Famine Twenty-five years after releasing a hit single to raise funds for victims of Ethiopia’s infamous famine, Bob Geldof on Wednesday visited one of the then worst-affected villages in the north of the Horn of Africa country. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 79 minutes ago
Heavens Open as 2.5 Million Pilgrims Begin the Hajj A day-long downpour fouled the start of the annual hajj on Wednesday, soaking thousands of people as they walked from Mecca to Mina, snarling traffic and stranding buses for hours. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 80 minutes ago
At Least 11 Dead in Saudi Flooding: Civil Defence Flooding killed at least 11 people in Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea port city of Jeddah on Wednesday after a heavy downpour, with more deaths feared, a civil defence official said. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 80 minutes ago
Nuclear Fuel Swap Inside Iran ‘Not an Option’: ElBaradei A nuclear fuel swap inside Iran, as proposed by the Islamic Republic, is “not an option”, the head of the UN atomic watchdog Mohamed ElBaradei said here Wednesday. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 80 minutes ago
EU Commission Chief Unveils Nominees for New Team European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso announced the nominations for his new team Wednesday, with conservatives to the fore and more women members than the outgoing EU executive. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 80 minutes ago
Germany Sees ‘Broad Support’ for Iran Resolution at IAEA Germany sees “broad support” for a resolution on Iran at the upcoming meeting of the UN atomic watchdog here, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said here Wednesday. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 80 minutes ago
OPEC Likely to Maintain Output Level: Algeria The OPEC oil exporting group is likely to maintain its production levels when cartel ministers meet in Luanda, Angola December 22, the Algerian energy minister said on Wednesday. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 80 minutes ago
Bananas Deal Likely to Be Too Late for WTO Talks: Source A deal to end Europe’s long-running trade war over taxes on banana imports will not come before World Trade Organization talks next week in Switzerland, an informed source said Wednesday. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 80 minutes ago
World Debt to Soar 45 Percent: Moody’s The debt weighing on national budgets will have soared by up to 45 percent worldwide in the period from 2007 to 2010, leading ratings agency Moody’s estimated on Wednesday. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 80 minutes ago
Two Sacked in Female Beefeater Bullying Probe Two Beefeaters at the Tower of London have been sacked following allegations they bullied the first woman ever to join their ranks, the managers of the monument announced Wednesday. Afp, AFP EUROPEAN EDITION - 80 minutes ago
Police Arrest Madeleine ‘Investigator’ Over Fraud A businessman paid to help search for girl Madeleine McCann was arrested after a hotel manager recognised him as an alleged fraudster wanted by US authorities, police said Wednesday. Afp, AFP EUROPEAN EDITION - 80 minutes ago
Leicester Coach Cockerill Gets Four-Week Ban Leicester coach Richard Cockerill received Wednesday a four-week ban after admitting two offences of match official abuse. Afp, AFP EUROPEAN EDITION - 80 minutes ago
Catering Group Compass Says Profits Jump Compass Group, the world’s biggest caterer, said Wednesday that annual net profits rose more than 32 percent as it won new contracts and cut costs, adding that it saw “excellent” growth prospects. Afp, AFP EUROPEAN EDITION - 80 minutes ago
Israeli Call on Settlements Helps Peace Process: Clinton US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Wednesday that a temporary freeze on new Israeli settlement building in the West Bank would aid progress toward peace with the Palestinians. Afp, AFP AMERICAN EDITION - 80 minutes ago
Red Sox Move to Obtain Toronto Ace Halladay: Report The Boston Red Sox are making a major move to obtain ace Major League Baseball pitcher Roy Halladay from the Toronto Blue Jays, the New York Daily News reported on Wednesday. Afp, AFP AMERICAN EDITION - 80 minutes ago
Browns Coach Backs off Fake Injury Accusation Cleveland Browns coach Eric Mangini backed away Wednesday from accusations the Detroit Lions faked injuries in Sunday’s 38-37 National Football League triumph over the woeful Browns. Afp, AFP AMERICAN EDITION - 80 minutes ago
Man Wanted in US on Fraud Charges Denied UK Bail A former security consultant wanted in the U.S. on charges of defrauding a client of more than $2 million was refused bail in a British court Wednesday. Jill Lawless, AP NEWS - 81 minutes ago
AU: Donors Slow in Paying Up for Somalia Security The African Union’s Somalia envoy said Wednesday donors have released only 30 percent of funds they pledged months ago toward bolstering Somalia’s security, frustrating efforts to turnaround the lawless country. Tom Maliti, AP NEWS - 81 minutes ago
AP Source: GM Not Talking to Any New Saab Suitors General Motors Co. has not talked with any other potential buyers for the Swedish Saab brand since a specialty car maker pulled out of a deal to buy it this week, a person briefed on GM’s plans said Wednesday. Tom Krisher, AP NEWS - 83 minutes ago
Deere Reports 4Q Loss on Charges, Lower Sales Deere and Co. says sales of tractors, combines and other agricultural mainstays slumped in the fourth quarter and it expects farmers to remain cautious about new equipment purchases because of the weak global economy. David Mercer, AP NEWS - 87 minutes ago
AT&T and Verizon Ads Duel on Airwaves and in Court What would the holidays be without bickering between siblings? AT&T and Verizon are swamping TV with ads attacking facets of each other’s wireless networks. While the ads stick fairly close to the truth, there’s a lot they don’t say. Peter Svensson, AP NEWS - 87 minutes ago
US Online Ad Revenue Down 5.4 Pct in Third Quarter Online advertising revenue in the U.S. fell 5.4 percent in the third quarter from a year ago, as the sputtering economy kept its tight grip on even the fastest growing segment of industry, according to a report released Wednesday. Deborah Yao, AP NEWS - 87 minutes ago
Floods Block Road to Mecca Haj Heavy rainfall and floods hamper the journey to Mecca as Haj pilgrims arrive in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Reuters Video, REUTERS NEWS VIDEO - 88 minutes ago
Pro-Immigration Reform PACS Growing in Influence Two fledgling political action committees that support allowing some illegal immigrants to become citizens are raising more money than their immigration-control counterparts, signaling a possible fundraising shift ahead of next year’s congressional races. Laura Wides-Munoz, AP NEWS - 89 minutes ago
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