Lawmakers skeptical as automakers again seek aid (AP)
Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:49:51 GMT
AP - Humbled U.S. automakers pleaded with Congress Thursday for an expanded $34 billion rescue package, but heard fresh skepticism in a bumpy encore appearance. "We made mistakes, which we're learning from," General Motors chief executive Rick Wagoner told the Senate Banking Committee.

People draw unemployment benefits at 26-year high (AP)
Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:57:36 GMT
AP - More evidence of consumers' weary state and the nation's deteriorating job market came Thursday with reports that people continuing to draw unemployment benefits climbed to a 26-year high, while retail sales and orders to U.S. factories sank.

Rice satisfied with Pakistan's anti-terror stance (AP)
Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:56:51 GMT
AP - Pakistan's leaders know what's at stake after the terror attack in Mumbai and have acknowledged their duty to evict terrorists and prevent future attacks, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Thursday.

Suicide blasts kill 17 as Iraqi council OKs pact (AP)
Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:51:12 GMT
AP - Suicide bombers killed 17 people — including two American soldiers — and wounded more than 100 in a string of blasts in two Iraqi cities Thursday as a timetable for withdrawing all U.S. troops won final government approval.

Minn. teen girls charged in nursing home abuse (AP)
Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:54:02 GMT
AP - Two teenage girls who worked at a nursing home have been charged with abuse, accused of taunting, spitting on and groping residents who suffered from Alzheimer's disease.

Mass. gun club, 3 men indicted in boy's Uzi death (AP)
Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:28:50 GMT
AP - A police chief was among three men indicted on involuntary manslaughter charges in the death of an 8-year-old boy who accidentally shot himself in the head with an Uzi at a gun show.

Boot Knut? Ex-cuddly polar bear cub faces uncertain future (AP)
Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:29:12 GMT
AP - Knut the superstar polar bear turns two on Friday looking nothing like the button-eyed ball of white fluff who captured hearts around the world.

Brain-injured troops face unclear long-term risks (AP)
Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:27:29 GMT
AP - Many of the thousands of troops who suffered traumatic brain injuries in Iraq and Afghanistan are at risk of long-term health problems including depression and Alzheimer's-like dementia, but it's impossible to predict how high those risks are, researchers say.

NJ woman sues Pa. sports bar for toilet seat break (AP)
Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:22:46 GMT
AP - A New Jersey woman is suing a Pennsylvania sports bar and restaurant, saying she got stuck inside a toilet bowl for 20 minutes when the seat broke. Kathleen Hewko, of Delran Township, said she was in the bathroom at Starters Pub in an Allentown suburb when the handicapped toilet seat she was sitting on cracked and dumped her into the bowl.

Stars' Avery meets NHL commissioner for 3 hours (AP)
Thu, 04 Dec 2008 20:23:00 GMT
AP - Suspended Sean Avery has met with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman for about three hours at a disciplinary hearing to discuss derogatory comments the Dallas Stars forward made earlier this week.