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VATICAN CITY – Pope John Paul II’s (search) latest appearance stirred tens of thousands of pilgrims, but the frail pontiff’s inability to manage a simple greeting to his largest audience in months raised new questions about his recovery. John Paul pressed a hand to his face and pounded a lectern …

The Standardized Achievement Test (search) has gotten an overhaul. Beginning this month, college-bound students will be taking a new longer test. Following are key changes reflected in the new exam: — Math: Quantitative comparisons, which used to count for 25 percent of the math score, are gone. There will be …

WASHINGTON – With an official credential hanging from his neck, a young man stepped into the White House briefing room Monday as perhaps the first blogger to (search) cover the daily press briefings. He found the surroundings to be dilapidated and cramped and concluded that his morning at the White …

ST. LOUIS – A St. Louis congressman wants Mark McGwire‘s (search) name stripped off the stretch of highway that was named after Big Mac following his 70-home season in 1998. “It would take an act by the state legislature, but I don’t think he deserves a name on the highway …

ROME – Staunch U.S. ally Premier Silvio Berlusconi (search), facing rising opposition to the war in Iraq, said Tuesday that Italy would start cutting back its troops there in September if security conditions in Iraq permit. His comments, following an outcry over the recent slaying by American soldiers of an …

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – A California judge Wednesday finalized the death sentence for Scott Peterson (search), telling the convicted double-murderer his actions were “callous and cruel.” Earlier, Judge Alfred A. Delucchi (search) denied a defense request for a new trial. Wearing a black suit and waist shackles, Peterson entered the …

WASHINGTON – The House approved a mammoth highway and transit bill Thursday that aims to reduce traffic congestion nationwide and bring jobs to every lawmaker’s home district. The White House said the bill was “long overdue” but warned, as the measure moved to the Senate, that it would be subject …

MULTAN, Pakistan – Four men who were sentenced to death for gang-raping a woman in Pakistan but then freed on bail — triggering an outcry from human rights activists — have been arrested again, police said Friday. The men were convicted nearly three years ago of raping Mukhtar Mai (search), …

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Arnold Schwarzenegger (search), seven-time Mr. Olympia and first-term governor of California, pays his annual visit this weekend to the bodybuilding contest that bears his name. But this year, his embrace of pumping iron has become politically problematic because of the unfolding steroid scandal in sports. Bodybuilding “by …

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Legislation to get rid of junk food and limit soft drinks in Kentucky schools was approved by a House committee as health advocates renewed their quest to fill schoolhouse vending machines with healthy snacks. Fried potato chips and candy bars would be off-limits if the bill becomes …