North America News

Suit may block BLM roundup of mustangs in Nev.

RENO, Nev. - An animal protection group is asking a federal judge to block the government's planned roundup of thousands of wild mustangs in Nevada next month.

Belgian in US court admits Iran arms dealing

WASHINGTON (AFP) - - A alleged Belgian arms dealer on Monday pleaded guilty to charges of conspiring to export fighter jet engines and parts to Iran, US justice officials said.

Clemson to get $98M for wind energy test facility

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Clemson University is getting nearly $100 million in federal stimulus funds to study wind energy.

Tax credit gives home sales best boost in decade

WASHINGTON - First-time buyers taking advantage of a special tax credit gave sales of existing homes their biggest surge in a decade, raising hopes for a turnaround in the housing market and pleasing Wall Street.

Sarah Palin's book tour hits NC's Fort Bragg

FORT BRAGG, N.C. - Sarah Palin brought her book-signing tour to North Carolina's Fort Bragg on Monday as thousands greeted the former Republican vice presidential candidate in a campaign-like gathering that tested military rules involving politicians.

Jackson's doctor returns to his Houston clinic

DC agrees to $13M settlement over protest arrests

WASHINGTON - The District of Columbia has agreed to pay more than $13 million to settle a lawsuit by protesters arrested during demonstrations nine years ago.

Key senators seek changes on US health care bill

WASHINGTON (AFP) - - Key Democratic allies in the US health care battle warned that a Senate bill required major changes if it was to earn their support and give President Barack Obama a crucial victory on his top domestic priority.

Healthcare reform faces challenges in U.S. Senate

By Kevin Drawbaugh

Cuba: military exercise braces island for US attack

HAVANA (AFP) - - Nearly 50 years after a botched US-directed invasion of Cuba, the communist nation said Saturday it is holding a military exercise next week to boost preparedness against any future US attack.

Setting Afghan exit date defeatist: defense panel

HALIFAX, Canada (AFP) - - Despite fierce public pressure to end the war in Afghanistan eight years on, politicians and experts on Saturday decried calls for setting an exit date they say would embolden the Taliban.

Elderly US couple pleads guilty in Cuba spy case

WASHINGTON (AFP) - - An elderly US couple charged with spying for Cuba for almost 30 years has pleaded guilty in the conspiracy, with the husband agreeing to serve a life sentence, the US Justice Department said.

Emotion as life term sought for US student in Italy

PERUGIA, Italy (AFP) - - Italian prosecutors on Saturday demanded life imprisonment for American student Amanda Knox and her ex-boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito for the 2007 murder of Briton Meredith Kercher.

Obama Afghan decision to come after Thanksgiving

WASHINGTON (AFP) - - US President Barack Obama has put off a decision on whether to send reinforcements to Afghanistan until after next week's Thanksgiving holiday amid resistance to a troop buildup among key Democrats and criticism from the right.

Honduras de facto leader says will step aside

TEGUCIGALPA (Reuters) - Honduras's post-coup de facto leader said on Friday he would give up his presidential duties for a week, a step Washington welcomed as a way to help ease a five-month-old political crisis.

Fort Hood shooter talked with radical cleric: report

WASHINGTON (AFP) - - US Army Major Nidal Hasan, accused of killing 13 people at Fort Hood, Texas, intensified contacts with a radical Yemeni American cleric just months before the shootings and began discussing surreptitious financial transfers, The Washington Post reported Saturday.

Hershey Trust backs bid for Cadbury: report

NEW YORK (AFP) - - A charitable trust controlling US chocolate maker Hershey is backing a bid of 17 billion dollars for Britain's Cadbury, the Wall Street Journal reported Friday.

Pentagon orders probe into Fort Hood rampage

WASHINGTON (AFP) - - US Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced Thursday a thorough investigation into the Fort Hood shootings to examine if warning signs were missed and to ensure such a "tragedy" never happens again.

'Too early' for Afghan handover deadline: Gates

WASHINGTON (AFP) - - US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said on Thursday it was too soon to set a timeline to transfer security duties from NATO-led troops to Afghan forces, as proposed by Britain.