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Former Chilean dictator Pinochet dies from heart complications at 91

SANTIAGO, Chile -- Gen. Augusto Pinochet, who overthrew Chile's democratically elected Marxist president in a bloody coup and ruled the Andean nation for 17 years, died Sunday, dashing hopes of victims of his regime's abuses that he would be brought to justice. He was 91. Pinochet suffered a heart attack a week ago and underwent an angioplasty, and the brief announcement by the Santiago Military Hospital said his condition worsened suddenly Sunday. Dr. Juan Ignacio Vergara, spokesman for the medical team that had been treating him, said his family was with him when he died.

Officials: Saudis major financial provider to Sunnis

CAIRO, Egypt -- Private Saudi citizens are giving millions of dollars to Sunni insurgents in Iraq and much of the money is used to buy weapons, including shoulder fired anti-aircraft missiles, key Iraqi officials and others familiar with the flow of cash said.

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A tornado in London damaged several homes and injured at least six people Thursday, authorities said.

One last reunion for survivors of Pearl Harbor

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii -- This will be their last visit to this watery grave to share stories, exchange smiles, find peace and salute their fallen friends. This, they say, will be their final farewell.

Right to arms in 2nd Amendment questioned in case on handgun ban

WASHINGTON -- In a case that could shape firearms laws nationwide, attorneys for the District of Columbia argued Thursday that the Second Amendment right to bear arms only applies to militias, not individuals.

Senators question Iraq panel's blueprint for war policy

WASHINGTON -- Senators raised sharp questions Thursday about a special Iraq commission's recommendations for changing U.S. diplomatic and military strategies in the war, as the panel's leaders urged the Bush administration and Congress to urgently work out a new bipartisan approach.

Congress takes up final issues

WASHINGTON -- In the final hours of Republican rule, the Senate on Wednesday put forward an all-purpose bill covering everything from normalized trade with Vietnam and tax breaks for millions of taxpayers to an expansion of offshore oil drilling.

Group urges more intense diplomatic efforts leading to troop withdrawals

WASHINGTON -- President Bush's policy in Iraq "is not working," a high-level commission said Wednesday in a blunt, bleak assessment that called for an urgent diplomatic attempt to stabilize the country and allow withdrawal of most U.S. combat troops by early 2008. After nearly four years of war and the deaths of more than 2,900 U.S. troops, the situation is "grave and deteriorating," the bipartisan panel said. It also warned, "The ability of the United States to influence events within Iraq is diminishing." It recommended the United States reduce political, military or economic support for Iraq if the government in Baghdad cannot make substantial progress toward providing for its own security. The report said Bush should put aside misgivings and engage Syria, Iran and the leaders of insurgent forces in negotiations on Iraq's future, to begin by year's end. It urged him to revive efforts at a broader Middle East peace. Barring a significant change, it warned of a slide toward chaos.

France says Iran will face U.N. sanctions over its nuclear program

PARIS -- France's foreign minister said Wednesday that Iran will face U.N. sanctions for refusing to halt its nuclear program, but major world powers remain divided over exactly how far punishment should go. French Foriegn Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said on RTL radio that the measures would fall under a part of the U.N. Charter -- Article 41 of Chapter 7 -- that authorizes the Security Council to impose nonmilitary sanctions, such as severing or limiting diplomatic and economic relations, transportation and communications links.

Saddam tells judge he will stop attending genocide trial

AMMAN, Jordan -- Saddam Hussein wrote the chief judge in his Kurdish genocide trial to tell him that he no longer wants to attend the hearings -- whatever the consequences, according to a letter released Tuesday by former Iraqi leader's lawyers.

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Gates acknowledges U.S. not winning war in Iraq in hearing before Senate

WASHINGTON -- Robert Gates, the White House choice to be the next defense secretary, conceded Tuesday that the United States is not winning the war in Iraq and warned that if that country is not stabilized in the next year or two it could lead to a "regional conflagration."

Texas truck driver convicted in deaths of 19 illegal immigrants exas smuggling case

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Bush meets with Shiite leader, says he's not satisfied with efforts to stop violence

Supreme Court wrestles with desegregation arguments

WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court on Monday wrestled with voluntary integration plans in public schools, asking whether programs in Louisville, Ky., and Seattle are acceptable moves toward student diversity or other names for illegal racial quotas.

Iraqi president rejects calls for international advice

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Iraq's president on Sunday rejected suggestions that an international conference be held to address the violence wracking his country, echoing sentiments expressed by other leading politicians.

In freezing weather, hundreds of thousands wait for electricity

ST. LOUIS -- Frigid temperatures contributed to four deaths Sunday, pushing the toll from a devastating ice and snow storm to 19 as hundreds of thousands waited another day for their electricity to be restored.

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Red Cross fears more than 1,000 dead in Thursday's Philippine typhoon

DARAGA, Philippines -- The Red Cross estimated Sunday that up to 1,000 people might have died in the typhoon that unleashed walls of black mud on entire villages in the Philippines. The country's president declared a state of national calamity.