BAGHDAD (AP) — A string of car bomb attacks in and around Baghdad killed 17 people and wounded dozens today, deepening fears of an increase in violence as sectarian tensions simmer in Iraq. Although there was no immediate claim of responsibility, blame is likely to fall on Sunni insurgents such as al- Qaida’s local franchise. […]

LONDON (AP) — Several hundred schools in England are closed because of heavy snow, prompting some harrumphing that the nation surrenders too easily to foul weather. About 5,000 of the 23,500 primary and secondary schools in England were closed Monday, and hundreds were closed again today, especially in the southwest. Brian Lightman, leader of the […]

GENEVA (AP) — The U.N. human rights office has criticized Iran over the reported execution of a juvenile offender. A spokeswoman for the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights says the Geneva based agency is “deeply dismayed” about the execution of Ali Naderi last week. U.N. spokeswoman Cecile Pouilly said today that the “death penalty […]

ATLANTA (AP) — An Atlanta man is suing the Georgia Department of Driver Services, contending that his rights were violated when the state rejected his application for vanity plates making reference to his sexual orientation. James Cyrus Gilbert maintains in the lawsuit that state officials rejected his application for the tags 4GAYLIB, GAYPWR and GAYGUY. […]

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A police lieutenant, his wife and son are dead after an apparent double murder, suicide and arson at their home, authorities said. Clark County Sheriff Douglas Gillespie and other officials didn’t identify the police officer or the family members on Monday. Identifications would probably be made sometime today. “There was an […]

LONDON (AP) — Prince Harry’s assertion that he has killed Taliban fighters while deployed in Afghanistan is drawing intense media coverage in Britain and sparking concerns about possible reprisals. The Daily Mirror ran a page-one headline “Royal Sensation Harry: I Killed Taliban” today along with a photo of a macho-looking Harry in combat gear and […]