New US Home Sales Rise 6.2 Percent Sales of new homes rose last month to the highest level in more than a year as strong activity in the South offset weakness in the rest of the country. Alan Zibel, AP NEWS - 5 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 - 8 minutes ago
International Bridge Co. Sues Michigan DOT The company that operates the Ambassador Bridge over the Detroit River is suing the state Transportation Department to open ramps leading to local freeways. Staff, AP NEWS - 9 minutes ago
Federal Court Allows Dec. 8 Execution in Ohio A federal court has ruled that an execution set for Dec. 8 can go forward due to a change in Ohio’s lethal injection policies. Staff, AP NEWS - 9 minutes ago
Wyoming Won’t Try to Block Park Snowmobile Plan With less than a month to go before snowmobile season roars to life again in Yellowstone National Park, litigation continues to swirl over a new federal cap on the maximum daily number of machines. Ben Neary, AP NEWS - 11 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 - 11 minutes ago
Judge: White Conn. Firefighters Must Be Promoted A federal judge has ordered Connecticut officials to promote 14 firefighters who won a reverse discrimination case in a landmark ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court. Staff, AP NEWS - 13 minutes ago
Oil Hovers Around $76 on Weakened US Dollar Oil prices hovered around $76 a barrel Wednesday as a weakened U.S. dollar overshadowed a U.S. government report showing a less-than-expected build in U.S. crude inventories. Dirk Lammers, AP NEWS - 16 minutes ago
Stocks Rise Following Drop in Jobless Claims Stocks rose in light volume 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 - 18 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 - 19 minutes ago
Windstream Moves Listing to Nasdaq Windstream Corp. says it is moving its share listing to the Nasdaq stock market from the New York Stock Exchange. Staff, AP NEWS - 22 minutes ago
Credit Suisse Agrees to $79M Colorado Settlement Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC has agreed to buy back $79 million of auction rate securities from Colorado investors who struggled to sell them after the market for them froze. Staff, AP NEWS - 23 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 on the eve of the Thanksgiving holiday. Pan Pylas, AP NEWS - 23 minutes ago
UN Report: Congo Rebel Network Spans 25 Countries One of Africa’s most brutal rebel movements relies on a vast, international network of supporters in at least 25 countries including in the United States and Europe, a United Nations report said. Rukmini Callimachi, AP NEWS - 26 minutes ago
AU: Donors Slow in Paying Up for Somalia Security The African Union’s Somalia envoy says donors have released only 30 percent of funds they pledged months ago towards bolstering Somalia’s security. Staff, AP NEWS - 26 minutes ago
A Look at 3 Return Policies, and Their Fine Print Heading into the holiday season, you’ll want to examine a store’s return policy before buying any gifts. Policies can be crammed with exceptions, especially for stores that sell a mix of merchandise. The Associated Press, AP NEWS - 26 minutes ago
Tiffany Raises Outlook as 3Q Profit Comes in Ahead Strong overseas sales and cost-cutting kept a decline in Tiffany & Co.’s third-quarter profit to a bare minimum, causing the luxury jeweler to raise its full-year profit outlook heading into the crucial holiday season. Betsy Vereckey, AP NEWS - 27 minutes ago
Texas, Retailer Conn’s Settle Warranty Dispute The Texas Attorney General’s Office has announced a $4.5 million settlement of its lawsuit against the Conn’s Inc. appliance chain. Staff, AP NEWS - 28 minutes ago
Book Outlines Intertwined History of Cotton, Race Gene Dattel grew up in the segregated South and was one of the few Mississippians enrolled at Yale University in 1962 when his home state became ensnared in a bloody confrontation over integration. Emily Wagster Pettus, AP NEWS - 29 minutes ago
Weekly Jobless Claims Drop Below 500,000 In a hopeful sign, the number of newly laid-off workers filing claims for unemployment benefits fell more than expected last week, dropping below 500,000 for the first time since January. Martin Crutsinger and Jeannine Aversa, AP NEWS - 30 minutes ago
A Traditional Alternative to Flu Jab Many Chinese are foreswearing a seasonal flu vaccine shot in favour of solutions offered by traditional medicine. Reuters Video, REUTERS NEWS VIDEO - 31 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 - 31 minutes ago
‘Woe Is Me’ to Those Who Miss Biblical Rhetoric If a phrase like “Woe is me” sounds familiar, it should. It comes from the Bible and has entered everyday language. Thomas J. Sheeran, AP NEWS - 33 minutes ago
Judge Orders Chavez Opponent to Stay in Prison A Venezuelan court has ordered an opponent of President Hugo Chavez to remain in prison while awaiting trial on charges of injuring a police officer during a protest. Staff, AP NEWS - 33 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 - 34 minutes ago
China Reports 8 Cases of Swine Flu Mutation China has detected eight cases of swine flu mutation, a health official said Wednesday, amid longstanding concerns among scientists that the virus could change into a more dangerous form. Gillian Wong, AP NEWS - 35 minutes ago
Rates on 30-Year Mortgages Match Record Low Freddie Mac reports that average rates for 30-year fixed mortgages have matched a record low of 4.78 percent this week. Staff, AP NEWS - 36 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 - 38 minutes ago
Official: Obama Going to Copenhagen Climate Summit President Barack Obama will go to Copenhagen next month, a White House official said Wednesday, to participate in a long-anticipated, high-stakes global climate summit. Julie Pace, AP NEWS - 39 minutes ago
Iraq Was Not UK’s Main Worry Prior to Invasion Iran and Libya, not Saddam Hussein’s regime in Iraq, were Britain’s main security concerns before the invasion of Iraq, Foreign Office officials testified Wednesday at an inquiry probing Britain’s role in the war. Jennifer Quinn, AP NEWS - 40 minutes ago
Ships Warned About Icebergs Headed for New Zealand Ships are on alert and maritime authorities are monitoring the movements of hundreds of menacing icebergs drifting toward New Zealand in the southern Pacific Ocean, officials said. Ray Lilley, AP NEWS - 41 minutes ago
Putin’s Rare Siberian Tiger Goes Missing A rare Siberian tiger fitted by Vladimir Putin with a radio-tracking collar has vanished, a Russian environmentalist said Wednesday, dramatizing the plight of a species some conservationists fear may be approaching extinction. Liya Khabarova, AP NEWS - 42 minutes ago
New US Home Sales Rise 6.2 Percent Sales of new homes rose last month to the highest level in more than a year as strong activity in the South made up for weakness in the rest of the country. Alan Zibel, AP NEWS - 42 minutes ago
Indian Tribe Votes Against New York Casino Plan An Indian tribe at New York’s northern border is dropping its push to build a casino in the Catskills, 230 miles south of its reservation. Staff, AP NEWS - 43 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 - 43 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 - 44 minutes ago
Kansas Lottery Rejects Casino Bid for Southeast The Kansas Lottery has rejected an application from a group seeking to build and manage a state-owned casino in the southeastern part of Kansas. Staff, AP NEWS - 46 minutes ago
Death Toll in China Mining Blast Rises to 107 The number of dead in China’s worst mining accident in two years rose to 107 Wednesday after three more bodies were pulled out of the coal mine, state media said. Staff, AP NEWS - 47 minutes ago
Stocks Mixed Amid Welter of Economic Data Stocks are narrowly mixed as reports showing a smaller rise in new claims for jobless benefits and strong consumer spending were offset by an unexpected decline in durable goods orders. Ieva M. Augstums, AP NEWS - 50 minutes ago
Israeli PM Seeks 10-Month New Settlement Halt Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is asking his government to approve a 10-month moratorium on new building permits for Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, his office said on Wednesday. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 52 minutes ago
Shuttle Undocks From Space Station, Returns to Earth The space shuttle Atlantis and its seven-astronaut crew undocked from the International Space Station on Wednesday as it prepared its return to Earth. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 52 minutes ago
Mousavi Says Militia Being Used Against Iranians Opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi on Wednesday accused the authorities of using the Basij volunteer Islamist militia to intimidate Iran’s own people. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 52 minutes ago
Millions Begin Hajj Amid Swine Flu Fears The world’s largest annual religious pilgrimage began on Wednesday overshadowed by the swine flu pandemic as 2.5 million Muslims amassed at the holy city of Mecca for the hajj. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 52 minutes ago
US Trying to ‘Trick’ Iran Over Nuke Deal: Larijani Iranian parliamentary speaker Ali Larijani said Wednesday that Washington was trying to “trick” Tehran through a high-profile nuclear fuel deal brokered by the UN atomic watchdog. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 52 minutes ago
Lebanon Policy Delayed Over Hezbollah Weapons Efforts by Lebanon’s new government to agree on a policy statement have again stumbled over Hezbollah’s weapons, with Christian members of the Western-backed majority rejecting a hands-off approach. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 52 minutes ago
Taliban’s Omar Rejects Karzai Call for Peace Talks Mullah Mohammad Omar, leader of Afghanistan’s Taliban militia, on Wednesday rejected a call from President Hamid Karzai for peace talks, in a statement issued ahead of the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 52 minutes ago
Obama to Attend Copenhagen Summit on December 9 US President Barack Obama will attend the climate change conference in Copenhagen on December 9, an administration official said on Wednesday. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 52 minutes ago
Toyota to Fix Gas Pedals on 3.8 Mln US Vehicles Toyota said Wednesday it would fix accelerator pedals on 3.8 million vehicles in the United States to prevent them from becoming stuck and leading to unintentional acceleration. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 52 minutes ago
S.Africa Inflation Falls to 5.9% South African inflation fell to 5.9 percent in October from 6.1 percent in September, the government reported on Wednesday. Afp, AFP GLOBAL EDITION - 52 minutes ago
Liverpool Give Benitez Their Backing Rafael Benitez has been assured he will not be sacked as Liverpool manager after the five-times European champions exited the Champions League at the group stage on Tuesday. Afp, AFP EUROPEAN EDITION - 52 minutes ago
White House Veggies for Obama’s Big Night With arugula straight from his garden and entertainment by two Oscar winners, President Barack Obama offered a fresh take on the state dinner Tuesday in Washington’s top social event since his inauguration. Afp, AFP AMERICAN EDITION - 52 minutes ago
US Consumer Spending Jumps 0.7% in October US consumer spending jumped 0.7 percent in October, helped by a rebound in auto sales, government data showed Wednesday. Afp, AFP AMERICAN EDITION - 52 minutes ago
Obama Vows to ‘Finish the Job’ in Afghanistan President Barack Obama vowed to “finish the job” in Afghanistan as he finalizes a decision on deploying tens of thousands more US troops to turn around the war against the Taliban. Afp, AFP AMERICAN EDITION - 52 minutes ago
US New Weekly Jobless Claims Fall to 14-Month Low Initial claims for US jobless insurance benefits plunged to their lowest levels since September last year, according to official data Wednesday showing improvement in the troubled labor market. Afp, AFP AMERICAN EDITION - 52 minutes ago
Obama to Attend Copenhagen Summit on December 9 US President Barack Obama will attend the climate change conference in Copenhagen on December 9, an administration official said Wednesday. Afp, AFP AMERICAN EDITION - 52 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 - 52 minutes ago
Cowboys, Giants Chase Division Lead in Holiday Games Coming off narrow victories with only three days of rest, the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants will take their fight for a division title into US Thanksgiving holiday games on Thursday. Afp, AFP AMERICAN EDITION - 52 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 - 55 minutes ago
US Bancorp to Sell 3 Texas Banking Units U.S. Bancorp said Wednesday it plans to sell three Texas banks it recently acquired when it took over FBOP Corp.’s banking operations last month. Staff, AP NEWS - 56 minutes ago
Hong Kong Director Takes on Mulan With Real Actors More than a decade after Disney made a blockbuster animated film out of a folk tale about a young woman in ancient China who takes her father’s place on the battlefield, a Hong Kong director is taking on the story of Hua Mulan with real actors. Min Lee, AP NEWS - 57 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 - 58 minutes ago
Hispanic Group Sues Ohio Over License Plate Policy A Hispanic group filed a lawsuit asking a judge to stop Ohio from canceling vehicle registrations for thousands of people if they do not provide certain documentation. Lisa Cornwell, AP NEWS - 60 minutes ago
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