National & World News

National news

Much has changed since unemployment last hit 10 percent
November 7, 2009
The last time unemployment climbed past 10 percent, “The A-Team” was one of the top 10 TV shows and Michael Jackson was about to release “Thriller.”
Ford to introduce inflatable seat belt
November 7, 2009
Ford is introducing an inflatable seat belt for back-seat passengers that it hopes will reduce injuries in front and side crashes.
Price war breaks out on DVDs
November 7, 2009
First it was books. Now it’s DVDs.
New Mexico city preparing for collapse of giant cavern
November 7, 2009
The bright yellow signs on U.S. 285 are the first indication that things aren’t right in Carlsbad.
1 killed, 5 wounded in office shooting
Suspect in attack had money woes
November 7, 2009
A man so broke that he said he didn’t have the money to visit his son 30 minutes away opened fire Friday at the engineering firm that fired him two years ago, killing one person and wounding five, authorities said.
Jurors convict man in ‘fat defense’ trial
November 7, 2009
A jury convicted a Florida man Friday of murdering his former son-in-law, rejecting the man’s defense that he was too fat to have run up and down a flight of stairs to commit the crime and make a quick getaway.
Revolutionary War hero named honorary citizen
November 7, 2009
Finally, Gen. Casimir Pulaski became an American citizen on Friday, 230 years after the Polish nobleman died fighting for the as-yet-unborn United States.

World news

Former P.M. on mission to humiliate government
November 7, 2009
Thailand’s fugitive former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has spent much of the past three years roaming the globe, shopping for diamonds in Africa, golfing at Asian resorts — and humiliating the government from a distance.
British leader to Afghanistan: Reform or risk losing support
November 7, 2009
Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Washington’s closest ally in Afghanistan, toughened his tone Friday with this harsh message for the Afghan leadership: Clean up your act — for real this time — or risk a cutoff of support.
Repainted Berlin Wall section inaugurated
November 7, 2009
The Berlin Wall’s longest remaining stretch has been restored to its state of nearly two decades ago after artists repainted the colorful murals they created in the aftermath of the notorious barrier’s opening.
Woman passes driver’s exam on 950th try
November 7, 2009
A woman in South Korea who tried to pass the written exam for a driver’s license with near-daily attempts since April 2005 has finally succeeded on her 950th time.
Lawmaker sculpted in cow manure
November 7, 2009
A sculpture of a New Zealand government minister crafted from cow manure sold for New Zealand $3,080 ($2,220) on an auction Web site.
World leaders needed for climate deal
November 7, 2009
After two years of tough U.N. climate talks often pitting the world’s rich against the poor, negotiators said Friday a new global agreement now rides on industrial nations pledging profound emissions cuts next month in Copenhagen.
In Europe, most swine flu shots by invitation only
November 7, 2009
In Britain, there are no long lines of people seeking swine flu vaccine. Doctor’s offices aren’t swamped with desperate calls. And there are no cries of injustice that the vaccine is going to wealthy corporations or healthy people who don’t really need it.