Israel Approves 10-Month West Bank Settlement Halt Officials in the Israeli prime minister’s office say the Security Cabinet has approved a 10-month freeze in new construction in West Bank settlements. Staff, AP NEWS - 5 minutes ago
Pro-Immigration Reform PACS Growing in Influence For the first time, pro-immigration forces are raising more political donations than their immigration-control counterparts. Laura Wides-Munoz, AP NEWS - 12 minutes ago
Germany, IAEA Chief Urge Iran to Compromise Germany’s foreign minister and the chief U.N. nuclear inspector are urging Iran to shift from nuclear confrontation to cooperation, with the German official warning of possible new U.N. sanctions. Staff, AP NEWS - 15 minutes ago
Jet-Winged Adventurer Ditches in Atlantic, Unhurt A Swiss pilot ditched safely into the chilly waters between Morocco and Spain Wednesday after a technical malfunction ended the first attempted intercontinental crossing on jet-powered wings. Daniel Woolls, AP NEWS - 16 minutes ago
More Bankruptcy Cases Filed in Federal Courts Bankruptcy filings in federal courts jumped by more than one-third this year, as businesses and individuals struggled to regain their footing in a weakened economy. Staff, AP NEWS - 17 minutes ago
Dollar Slumps to 15-Month Euro Low The dollar slid to a 15-month low against the euro Wednesday as investors fled the safe haven currency on upbeat U.S. economic reports, while markets absorbed the U.S. Federal Reserve’s indication that interest rates will remain at super-low levels for a while yet and that it was not overly concerned by the U.S. currency’s decline. Pan Pylas and Erin Conroy, AP NEWS - 18 minutes ago
BLM Delays Nevada Horse Roundup to Allow Appeals The Bureau of Land Management has postponed a planned roundup of thousands of wild horses in Nevada because of a lawsuit and to allow time for appeals of its decision. Staff, AP NEWS - 19 minutes ago
Federal Court Allows Dec. 8 Execution in Ohio A previously blocked execution set for Dec. 8 can now go forward due to a change in Ohio’s lethal injection policies, a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday. Staff, AP NEWS - 20 minutes ago
Gay Marriage Momentum Stalls in Liberal NY, NJ The state-to-state march to legalize gay marriage across the left-leaning Northeast has lost more momentum since a major setback three weeks ago at the ballot box in Maine. Geoff Mulvihill, AP NEWS - 20 minutes ago
White House: Exit Plan From Afghanistan Is Key The White House says President Barack Obama is placing heavy emphasis on how the United States eventually will withdraw from Afghanistan even as he plans to announce a troop increase next week. Charles Babington, AP NEWS - 23 minutes ago
WSP Holdings Plans $10 Million Share Repurchase WSP Holdings Ltd., a Chinese manufacturer of oil and natural gas exploration and drilling products, said Wednesday its board has approved a repurchase program of up to $10 million in American Depositary shares. Staff, AP NEWS - 23 minutes ago
Sensata Plans to Raise Up to $500 Million in IPO Sensata Technologies Holding BV, which makes engineered sensors and controls for manufacturers in the automotive, aircraft and other industries, plans to raise up to $500 million in an initial public offering. Staff, AP NEWS - 23 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 - 24 minutes ago
Idera: Novartis Deal Ends, Merck Pact Extended Idera Pharmaceuticals Inc. on Wednesday announced the end of a research partnership with Novartis AG, but said Merck & Co. is extending its work with Idera for another year. Staff, AP NEWS - 24 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 - 25 minutes ago
Hospitality Properties Trust Upgraded; Stocks Rise An analyst upgraded shares of Hospitality Properties Trust Wednesday and said it expects the real estate investment trust to reinstate its cash dividend in 2010. Staff, AP NEWS - 25 minutes ago
Fed Tightens Conflict of Interest Rules The Federal Reserve on Wednesday tightened the conflict of interest restrictions governing the boards of directors of its 12 regional banks. Martin Crutsinger, AP NEWS - 25 minutes ago
Jobless Claims Dip, Spending Up in Sign of Rebound In a hopeful sign for the economy, the number of newly laid-off workers filing claims for unemployment benefits fell below 500,000 last week for the first time since January. Jeannine Aversa and Martin Crutsinger, AP NEWS - 26 minutes ago
UK Police Arrest Man Wanted in US on Fraud Charges British police have arrested a former Washington security consultant wanted in the United States for allegedly defrauding a client of more than $2 million, Scotland Yard said Wednesday. Jill Lawless, AP FEATURES - 27 minutes ago
2 Beefeaters Fired for Bullying Female Colleague Two ceremonial guards known as Beefeaters at the historic Tower of London were fired Wednesday after an internal investigation found that they harassed their first and only female colleague. Staff, AP NEWS - 27 minutes ago
Obama to Attend Major Climate Summit US President Barack Obama confirmed Wednesday he will attend a major climate summit next month, providing a shot in the arm for the talks after China said it is unlikely to cut gas emissions. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 28 minutes ago
Kandahar Is Key City in Afghan War A wedding was called off because international troops killed the groom. A suicide bomber blew himself up in front of a police patrol. An old woman was beaten by the Taliban after she tried to stop them from taking her son. Kathy Gannon, AP NEWS - 31 minutes ago
Greece to Restore Birthplace of Classical Theater Greek authorities say they will partially restore the ruined marble theater under the Acropolis, where the works of Euripides and other classical playwrights were first performed about 2,500 years ago. Staff, AP NEWS - 32 minutes ago
Toyota to Replace 4M Gas Pedals That Could Jam Toyota Motor Corp. said Wednesday it will replace accelerator pedals on about 4 million recalled vehicles in the United States because the pedals can get stuck in the floor mats, another blow to the reputation of the world’s largest automaker. Ken Thomas, AP NEWS - 32 minutes ago
UK Police Arrest Man Wanted in US on Fraud Charges British police have arrested a former Washington security consultant accused by U.S. prosecutors of defrauding a client of more than $2 million. Staff, AP NEWS - 34 minutes ago
Natural Gas Stocks Grow Less Than Expected Natural gas stockpile levels rose less than expected last week, the government said Thursday. Deborah Jian Lee, AP NEWS - 34 minutes ago
Diedrich: Green Mountain’s $265M Bid Superior Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. bested a rival Wednesday, after the board at Diedrich Coffee Inc. said its all-cash buyout offer trumped a dueling cash-and-stock bid. Staff, AP NEWS - 35 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 - 36 minutes ago
Judge Denies Murderer’s Request for Hair Removal A federal judge has denied a convicted murderer’s request for more hair removal treatments as she waits to find out if she can get state-funded sex change surgery. Mark Pratt, AP NEWS - 39 minutes ago
Capmark Financial Gets OK to Sell Units Capmark Financial Group Inc. said it has received approval to complete the $515 million sale of its North American servicing and mortgage banking units to a joint venture owned by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. and Leucadia National Corp. Staff, AP NEWS - 39 minutes ago
World Stocks Buoyed by US Data as Dollar Slides European and U.S. stock markets rose Wednesday after a batch of stronger than anticipated U.S. economic data and as trading levels dried up ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. Pan Pylas, AP NEWS - 40 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 - 40 minutes ago
Wimm-Bill-Dann Foods 3Q Profit Up on Lower Costs Russian dairy, food and juice company Wimm-Bill-Dann Foods said Wednesday that its third-quarter profit climbed on reduced expenses. Staff, AP NEWS - 42 minutes ago
Pakistan Charges 7 Suspects in Mumbai Attacks Pakistan charged seven men on Wednesday in last year’s Mumbai terror attacks, its first indictments in a case watched closely by India and the United States to see if Islamabad makes good on promises to punish those responsible. Asif Shahzad, AP NEWS - 42 minutes ago
Indian PM Warns Pakistan on Terrorism India’s prime minister said Wednesday that Pakistan must do more to punish the masterminds of last year’s terrorist attacks in the Indian financial capital. Foster Klug, AP NEWS - 44 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 - 47 minutes ago
Rains Soak Pilgrims at Islam’s Hajj The heaviest rain to hit Islam’s annual hajj pilgrimage in years soaked the faithful and flooded the road to Mecca, snarling traffic as millions of Muslims headed for the holy sites. The downpours add an extra hazard on top of intense concerns about the spread of swine flu. Hadeel Al-Shalchi, AP NEWS - 47 minutes ago
Obama’s First Pardon: A Turkey Named ‘Courage’ After 10 months in office, President Barack Obama granted his first pardon — to “Courage,” a turkey spared the Thanksgiving table. Natasha Metzler, AP NEWS - 49 minutes ago
Blast Yields Arsenal at Ex-Doctor’s Ohio Apartment Police in suburban Cleveland say they found dozens of pipe bombs, an assortment of firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition in a former doctor’s apartment. Staff, AP FEATURES - 49 minutes ago
China Reports 8 Cases of Mutated Swine Flu Virus China has detected eight people infected with mutated forms of the swine flu virus, a health official said Wednesday, but flu drugs and vaccines still work against it. Gillian Wong, AP NEWS - 53 minutes ago
2 Beefeaters Fired for Bullying Female Colleague Two ceremonial guards known as Beefeaters at the historic Tower of London have been fired after an internal investigation found that they harassed a female colleague. Staff, AP NEWS - 55 minutes ago
Iran Clerics Start Gaining Control of Schools Islamic religious authorities have begun tightening their grip on Iranian public schools, a report said Wednesday, as hard-liners expand an ideological “soft war” against Western influence. Ali Akbar Dareini, AP NEWS - 61 minutes ago
Haydn Expert HC Robbins Landon Dies at 83 H.C. Robbins Landon, a musicologist noted for his expertise on Franz Joseph Haydn and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, has died. He was 83. Staff, AP NEWS - 63 minutes ago
Vicki Kennedy Says She Has No Senate Plans Vicki Kennedy tells Oprah Winfrey that she will never run for the seat in the U.S. Senate that was held by her husband for nearly a half century. Staff, AP NEWS - 64 minutes ago
La. Down 1,900 Jobs in Oct.; 44,000 Over the Year Louisiana lost 1,900 nonfarm jobs in October and 44,000 over the last year, with big hits in manufacturing and in the trade, transportation, and utilities sector, the state Workforce Commission reported. Staff, AP NEWS - 65 minutes ago
Rates on 30-Year Mortgages Sink, Match Record Low Average rates for 30-year fixed mortgages fell this week, matching a record low set last spring and more than a full percentage point below what they were a year ago, Freddie Mac said Wednesday. Staff, AP NEWS - 66 minutes ago
Internet Activists Push for Greater Democracy The Internet can be a powerful medium for politicians to get their message across but it is also a vital means for civilians to have a say in what politicians do, participants in a political conference say. Ciaran Giles, AP NEWS - 67 minutes ago
Americans Search for Cheaper Thanksgiving Trips Millions of Americans got an early jump on their Thanksgiving travel Wednesday, with many opting to drive or take trains and buses instead of shelling out more money for flights amid a sour economy still hitting household budgets hard. Michael Tarm, AP NEWS - 67 minutes ago
Taliban Leader Rules Out Talks With Karzai The Taliban’s reclusive leader has ruled out talks with President Hamid Karzai and called on Afghans to break off relations with his “stooge” administration. Elena Becatoros, AP NEWS - 67 minutes ago
EU Assembly Adopts Internet, Phone User Rights The European Parliament has endorsed new telecom rules that would give phone and Internet users more rights and allow them to appeal to national courts if they are cut off for illegal file-sharing. Robert Wielaard, AP NEWS - 69 minutes ago
India’s PM Singh Warns Pakistan on Terrorism Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (MAHN'-moh-hahn SING) is issuing a stern warning to Pakistan on the eve of the first anniversary of the Mumbai terrorist attacks. Staff, AP NEWS - 71 minutes ago
Colonial-Era Skull to Get Military Burial in Conn. A Colonial-era skull believed to belong to a Revolutionary War soldier is set to be reburied in Connecticut with full military honors. Staff, AP NEWS - 73 minutes ago
AP Source: GM Not Talking to Any New Saab Suitors A person briefed on General Motors Co.’s plans says the automaker has not talked to any other potential buyers for the Swedish Saab brand. Tom Krisher, AP NEWS - 78 minutes ago
Idaho Joins Fight Against Foreclosure Fraud Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden is teaming with federal regulators and 26 other states to get tough on foreclosure rescue fraud. Staff, AP NEWS - 79 minutes ago
Mom of Teen Set on Fire: Son Focused on Recovery In the days after 15-year-old Michael Brewer was set on fire by a group of teens, his mother, Valerie Brewer, sat at his hospital bedside and worried. Tamara Lush, AP NEWS - 82 minutes ago
Obama to Outline US Climate Goals at Copenhagen Dousing rampant speculation, President Barack Obama has decided to travel to Copenhagen next month and spell out U.S. goals for curbing greenhouse gas emissions at a widely anticipated, high-stakes global climate summit. Julie Pace, AP NEWS - 83 minutes ago
UK: NATO to Offer 5,000 Troops for Afghanistan British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Wednesday that NATO nations are ready to offer about 5,000 more troops for the war in Afghanistan. David Stringer, AP NEWS - 83 minutes ago
Studies: Fighting Global Warming Reduces Diseases Cutting global warming pollution would not only make the planet healthier, it would make people healthier too, newly released studies say. Seth Borenstein, AP NEWS - 85 minutes ago
Israel Offers 10-Month West Bank Settlement Freeze Israel’s prime minister on Wednesday proposed a 10-month freeze on new West Bank settlement construction in what he said was an attempt to jump-start Mideast peace talks. Josef Federman, AP NEWS - 85 minutes ago
Jet-Winged Adventurer Ditches in Atlantic, Unhurt A Swiss adventurer went down in the Atlantic on Wednesday while trying to fly from Morocco to Spain with jet-powered wings strapped to his back. A rescue helicopter pulled him from the water and he appeared unhurt. Daniel Woolls, AP NEWS - 86 minutes ago
Court: Ky. Must Readopt Lethal Injection Protocol The Kentucky Supreme Court has ruled that the state improperly adopted its three-drug method of lethally injecting condemned inmates. Brett Barrouquere, AP NEWS - 86 minutes ago
Transocean Starts 7-Year Drilling Contract for BP Offshore drilling contractor Transocean Ltd. on Wednesday said it has launched its new rig, the Development Driller III, in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico under a seven-year drilling contract for a subsidiary of BP PLC. Staff, AP NEWS - 89 minutes ago
Khamenei Says Iran in Throes of ‘Soft War’ Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday Iran was in the throes of a “soft war” with its enemies abroad, and that events after the disputed presidential election in June were part of this. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 89 minutes ago
Action on Climate Change ‘Also Averts Health Crisis’ Climate change will imperil health through malaria, cholera, heatwaves and hunger, but many problems can be eased or avoided if countries make wise policy choices, doctors said on Wednesday. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 89 minutes ago
Saudi Denies Military Entered Yemen Saudi Arabia on Wednesday denied its military had entered Yemen to strike Shiite rebels in their homeland as Saudi forces continued to attack rebel positions on the border. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 89 minutes ago
Kuwait, Iraq Discuss Border Oilfields Iraq and Kuwait are engaged in “technical negotiations” to strike a deal over production from border oilfields that have been at the heart of previous conflicts, a Kuwaiti oil official has said. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 89 minutes ago
Jet-Man Plunges Into Sea as Africa-Europe Flight Fails Swiss Yves Rossy plunged into the sea on Wednesday in a failed bid to fly from Africa to Europe using a jet-powered wing attached to his back, live television images showed. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 89 minutes ago
Jetman’s Africa-Europe Attempt Ends in Failure Swiss Yves Rossy ditched in the sea on Wednesday in a failed bid to fly from Africa to Europe using a jet-powered wing attached to his back, live television images showed. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 89 minutes ago
Guantanamo Novel Aimed at Teens Eyes Costa Prize A novel for teenagers about the US prison in Guantanamo Bay written by a rock star’s wife was nominated Wednesday for a prestigious children’s book prize in Britain. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 89 minutes ago
Disney Re-Making ‘High School Musical’ in Chinese Disney is re-making its international smash hit “High School Musical” in Chinese with a film set to be released here next summer, a Disney spokeswoman said on Wednesday. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 89 minutes ago
Profits of Russian Oil Giant Rosneft Fall 53.2% The net profits of Russia’s largest oil firm, state-owned Rosneft, plummeted 53.2 percent in the first nine months of 2009 compared to the same period last year, the company said on Wednesday. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 89 minutes ago
US New Weekly Jobless Claims Fall to 14-Month Low Initial claims for US jobless insurance benefits plunged to their lowest level since September last year, according to official data Wednesday showing improvement in the troubled labor market. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 89 minutes ago
Guinea Junta Moves to Bar Opposition From the Vote Guinea’s military junta on Wednesday threatened to keep opposition leaders out of a presidential election which the country’s poll watchdog said would be impossible to hold anyway. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 89 minutes ago
Sudan Reporter Might Not Return Home The Sudanese journalist briefly jailed for wearing “indecent trousers” said Wednesday she might not return to her country but instead continue her campaign for women’s rights from abroad. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 89 minutes ago
US ‘Hopeful’ Israeli Proposal Can Revive Peace Talks The United States hopes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s proposal for a 10-month settlement halt in the West Bank can help revive Middle East talks, a US official said Wednesday. Afp, AFP AMERICAN EDITION - 89 minutes ago
US Welcomes Pakistani Charges Over Mumbai Attacks The United States welcomed Wednesday a Pakistani court’s decision to charge seven suspects in connection with the Mumbai attacks. Afp, AFP AMERICAN EDITION - 89 minutes ago
Kentucky Gov to Head South Growth Policies Board Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear will be the newest chairman of the Southern Growth Policies Board, a think tank that has been led in the past by such notable politicians as Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton. Staff, AP NEWS - 90 minutes ago
Iran’s Leader Makes Inroads in Latin America Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won support for his country’s nuclear ambitions and expanded his reach in Latin America in a three-country goodwill tour that took him to close ally Venezuela for his final stop. Ian James, AP NEWS - 92 minutes ago
Coldwater Creek Drops as 3Q Results Miss Views Shares of Coldwater Creek Inc. slumped Wednesday after the women’s apparel retailer posted a third-quarter loss that missed Wall Street’s expectations. Staff, AP NEWS - 94 minutes ago
Former AP Stringer Among 57 Dead in Philippines Alejandro “Bong” Reblando, a veteran Filipino journalist and former Associated Press stringer, was among at least 18 reporters killed in an attack on an election caravan, authorities said. He was 53. Staff, AP NEWS - 94 minutes ago
Obama to Address Nation on Afghanistan Tuesday President Barack Obama will address the nation on his new strategy for the war in Afghanistan Tuesday night from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Staff, AP NEWS - 96 minutes ago
EPA, Group Look to Settle Lawsuit Over Utah Rules An environmental group and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are seeking to settle a lawsuit aimed at getting Utah to change its air pollution regulations. Staff, AP NEWS - 97 minutes ago
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