U.S., Britain rank last in child welfare in industrialized world
BERLIN — The United States and Britain ranked at the bottom of a U.N. survey of child welfare in 21 wealthy countries that assessed everything from infant mortality to whether children ate dinner with their parents or were bullied at school.
Bush says he can’t prove top Iranian leaders ordered lethal weapons sent to Iraq
WASHINGTON — Challenged on the accuracy of U.S. intelligence, President Bush said Wednesday there is no doubt the Iranian government is providing armor-piercing weapons to kill American soldiers in Iraq. But he backed away from claims the top echelon of Iran’s government was responsible.
With money tight, lawmakers want to refocus insurance program on children
WASHINGTON — With the government’s blessing, more than a dozen states secured health insurance coverage for adults under a program designed to help poor children. Now, there is not enough money to cover the kids.
U.S. says al-Sadr fled to Iran, aides deny, talk of psychological war
BAGHDAD, Iraq — The mystery over the whereabouts of Muqtada al-Sadr deepened Wednesday with the U.S. military spokesman saying the Shiite militia leader had fled to Iran, his supporters insisting he was still in Iraq — and no sign of the anti-American cleric himself.
Explosion kills 11 members of Iran’s elite guard
TEHRAN, Iran — A car bomb killed 11 members of Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards on Wednesday in the deadliest attack in years near the Pakistani border, and Iran accused the United States of backing militants to destabilize the country.
Top environment prosecutor, oil lobbyist bought vacation home together
WASHINGTON — Nine months before agreeing to let ConocoPhillips delay a half-billion-dollar pollution cleanup, the government’s top environmental prosecutor bought a $1 million vacation home with the company’s top lobbyist.
Squirrel discovery diverts Tokyo-Denver flight to Hawaii
HONOLULU — An American Airlines flight made an unscheduled landing in Honolulu after pilots heard something skittering about in the wire-laden space over the cockpit.
Toy companies turn to the Web to make their toys come alive
NEW YORK — As kids keep getting plugged into the Internet, toy makers are following them online.
Handful of House Republicans break ranks to oppose Bush troop buildup
WASHINGTON — Breaking ranks, a small band of House Republicans declared their opposition to a troop buildup in Iraq on Wednesday, and President Bush appeared resigned to passage of a nonbinding measure disapproving of his decision.
Ben & Jerry’s names new ice cream flavor for comedian Stephen Colbert
NEW YORK — Stephen Colbert may have no taste for the truth, but he does have a sweet tooth.
Kaiser launches study into genes, environmental disease causes
SAN FRANCISCO — Health care titan Kaiser Permanente announced Wednesday that its researchers have launched a massive study into the complex interplay of genetics, environmental factors and lifestyles that cause many common diseases.
Oregon appeals court orders shorter sentence for SUV arsonist
GRANTS PASS, Ore. — The Oregon Court of Appeals on Wednesday ordered a shorter sentence for a man serving 23 years in prison after admitting he set fire to three sport utility vehicles to protest the contributions of gas-guzzling vehicles to global warming.
Investigator says Las Vegas car owners set fires to end payments
LAS VEGAS — Here’s a thing that makes Warren Donaldson wince: a brand new Mercedes-Benz, with guillotine-clean chrome rims, kidskin seating and a walnut burl instrument panel — all burnt black. Scorched. Utterly incinerated.
