World News

2010 Nissan Armada is 1 big SUV

Large sport utility vehicles aren't as fashionable as they once were.

Consumers log stronger-than-expected spending rise

WASHINGTON - Consumers got back in the buying mood in October as their incomes grew modestly, an encouraging sign for the budding economic recovery.

No signs of Putin's rare Siberian tiger

VLADIVOSTOK, Russia - A Russian environmentalist says a rare Siberian tiger fitted with a radio-tracking collar by Vladimir Putin has vanished.

Iran clerics start taking control of schools

TEHRAN, Iran - An Iranian cleric says religious authorities have started taking control of schools, part of a wider ideological drive by hard-liners to wage what authorities call a "soft war" against Western influence.

Palestinians cool to expected Israeli offer

JERUSALEM - Palestinian officials are rejecting an expected offer from Israel's prime minister to partially freeze West Bank settlement construction, even before it is made public.

Toyota to replace 3.8M gas pedals

WASHINGTON - Toyota Motor Corp. said Wednesday it will replace accelerator pedals on 3.8 million recalled vehicles in the United States to address problems with the pedals becoming jammed in the floor mat.

Serb nationalist's war crimes trial to resume

THE HAGUE, Netherlands - Judges at the Yugoslav war crimes tribunal have ordered the resumption of a Serb nationalist's trial almost a year after it was suspended amid claims of witness intimidation.

Bombs in Iraqi Shiite holy city injure 25

BAGHDAD - A double bombing on Wednesday injured 25 civilians in the Iraqi city of Karbala ahead of an Islamic holiday, officials said.

UK: NATO to offer 5,000 troops for Afghanistan

LONDON - British Prime Minister Gordon Brown says 10 NATO nations are ready to offer about 5,000 more troops for the war in Afghanistan.

Bruni-Sarkozy says 'yes' to Woody film proposal

PARIS - Woody Allen has successfully courted France's first lady, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy.

Israel team visits Gulf state of Oman

MUSCAT, Oman - Top Israeli diplomats have made a rare visit to the Persian Gulf state of Oman this week to discuss Middle East peace efforts, said a senior Omani official Wednesday.

Obituaries in the news

Abe Pollin

The nation's weather

A blistery and chilly day was expected in the Midwest and Great Lakes on Wednesday, while the Pacific Northwest was forecast to remain wet and cool.

Soul-searching debates on the French identity

PARIS - The Great Debate gets under way Wednesday, led off with a grand question: "For you, what does it mean to be French?"

Berlusconi is named `Rockstar of the Year'

ROME - He's Italian premier, media mogul and one of the country's richest men.

Obama to pardon turkey

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama will publicly pardon a turkey in a Rose Garden ceremony Wednesday, honoring a Thanksgiving season tradition that dates to Harry Truman's presidency.

Escaped ex-royal aide back in custody

LONDON - Police say a convicted murderer who once served as the personal assistant to the duchess of York is back in custody after she escaped from a low-security British prison.

Honolulu police posting DUI mug shots on Internet

Firefighters make progress against Calif. wildfire

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Firefighters say they are making good progress against a wind-driven wildfire burning in Southern California.