Obama to speak to gay fundraising dinner on eve of activist march in WashingtonWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama plans to address the nation’s largest gay rights group this weekend in an effort to mollify an uneasy Democratic constituency frustrated with the White House’s slow pace. A scary place: NY State Capitol tours explore building’s ghost stories, legends, folkloreALBANY, N.Y. — Is the State Capitol haunted? Visitors to the historic building in downtown Albany can determine for themselves this month. AP Source: Obama to speak to gay fundraising dinner on eve of activist march in WashingtonWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama plans to address the nation’s largest gay rights group this weekend, a person familiar with his schedule said Monday, trying to mollify an uneasy Democratic constituency. Bats, spiders and bodies, oh my: 3 ways to get naturally spooked _ no special effects requiredHaunted house attractions and ghost tours can be a lot of fun. But some things are naturally spooky, with no fake blood or recorded howls required. Marble statue widely attributed to Michelangelo coming to NYC’s Met MuseumNEW YORK — A marble statue widely attributed to Michelangelo is being loaned to New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art by the French government. Tombstone tours: Check out these famous boneyards for a spirited history lessonNEW YORK — Even if you don’t believe in ghosts, walking through a graveyard can be a little spooky — especially in autumn as the trees lose their leaves, flowers wither away and light fades in the late afternoon. Analyst lifts PetSmart to ‘Buy,’ says co. likely to benefit when discretionary spending liftsNEW YORK — PetSmart Inc. climbed Monday as an analyst upgraded the pet food and products retailer, saying the company will likely benefit when discretionary spending picks up with an potential 2010 economic recovery. APNewsBreak: Pa. exotic pet dealer had expired license when wife killed by captive black bearALLENTOWN, Pa. — A northeastern Pennsylvania dealer of exotic pets was operating with an expired license when his wife was killed by a captive black bear as she cleaned its cage. Ready, aim, fire! Visitors get new chance to explore ‘Gettysburg of the West’ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The plan was to march up the Rio Grande, capture the city of Santa Fe and seize the thousands of rifles, dozens of cannons and other supplies at Fort Union for a campaign that would expand the Confederacy’s borders all the way to the California Coast. Mummies, tomb art and everyday items on exhibit in “World of the Pharaohs” show in Little RockLITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The “World of the Pharaohs” exhibition in Little Rock does more than depict the lives of kings during the 3,000 years of pharaoic rule. The items on display also illustrate what daily life was like in the rich Nile delta. Jason from ‘Friday the 13th’ marries Ohio couple, orders bite on neck instead of kiss on lipsCOLUMBIA STATION, Ohio — An Ohio bride and ghoul have vowed to love each other and haunt and howl at the moon together at a Halloween-themed wedding. US voices concern over Turkmenistan’s bid to stop students traveling to foreign universitiesALMATY, Kazakhstan — The United States expressed its concern Monday over efforts by Turkmenistan to prevent students from traveling to U.S.-linked universities. APNewsBreak: Pregnant aerobics instructor wounded in Pa. gym shooting sues gunman’s estatePITTSBURGH — A pregnant aerobics instructor who was wounded in a health club shooting in August sued the estate of the gunman Monday, saying related stress put her in danger of a miscarriage. Woman in northeastern Pa. fatally mauled by pet black bear she kept caged near her homeALLENTOWN, Pa. — A woman was killed by a captive 350-pound black bear as she cleaned its cage Sunday night, officials said Monday as they revealed her husband, an exotic pet dealer, was operating with an expired license. Census shows more Americans trying their hand at raising crops, livestock on ‘hobby farms’GEM, Ind. — Most evenings, Gary Mithoefer can be found at the end of a long gravel driveway off a busy highway, tending two garden plots filled with white sweet potatoes, squash, cabbages and a dozen other vegetables still thriving in early fall. 1 in 100 US children has Autism : Government Study
Samoans flock to churches to mourn victims of South Pacific tsunami; mass burials preparedLALOMANU, Samoa — Hundreds of survivors of the Samoas tsunami gathered at a church on high ground to mourn lost relatives, while pledging to rebuild their obliterated communities after a disaster that killed 177 people. Hard-hit by crisis, Dubai’s ruler downsizes ambitions for indebted sheikdomDUBAI, United Arab Emirates — There was a time when Dubai’s annual property fair was a gilded stage for the ruling sheik to unveil his latest, anything-goes dreams: the world’s tallest towers, canals in the desert and artificial islands in the sea. As this year’s fair begins Monday, the global recession has sharply downsized those visions and taken much of the boomtown bravado from the city-state’s CEO-style ruler. A computer-enhanced, information-rich view of the world around you? There’s an app for thatSAN FRANCISCO — You’re walking down the street, looking for a good place to eat. You hold up your cell phone and use it like the viewfinder on a camera, so the screen shows what’s in front of you. But it also shows things you couldn’t see before: Brightly colored markers indicating nearby restaurants and bars. Chavez allies to ban violent video games in bid to curb Venezuela’s soaring crime rateCARACAS, Venezuela — Shouts of “Kill him! Kill him!” ring out as the preteens train their virtual assault rifles on the last remaining terrorist and spray him with bullets. Blood splatters. The enemy collapses. And they cheerfully wrap up another game of “Counter-Strike.” Expected tourism boost halted in Appalachia as region takes greater hit from sour economyELBERTON, Ga. — Along the quiet banks of Lake Russell, where bees buzz and grass blows lazily in the wind, Elbert County’s top development official envisioned a resort that would bring vacationers’ dollars to the declining granite quarrying hub. Obamas celebrate 17th wedding anniversary with dinner outWASHINGTON — There was no trip to New York and no fancy outing as the Obamas celebrated their first wedding anniversary since they moved to the White House. 7 wedding guests taken to hospital after falling ill at NH reception; CO exposure possibleMEREDITH, N.H. — Seven wedding guests have been taken to the hospital after fainting or feeling sick at a New Hampshire reception, and safety officials are investigating possible carbon monoxide exposure. 5 years after private spacecraft wins X Prize, space tourism has yet to take to flightLOS ANGELES — When a private spaceship soared over California to claim a $10 million prize, daredevil venture capitalist Alan Walton was 68 and thought he’d soon be on a rocket ride of his own. Months later, no changes and little review of blaze that torched busy SC tourist regionCONWAY, S.C. — The fire chief in one of South Carolina’s busiest tourist spots said he won’t alter his agency’s practices even though his crews failed to extinguish a small blaze that mushroomed into the worst wildfire in state history. 5 years after private spacecraft plans win X Prize, space tourism have yet to take to flightLOS ANGELES — When a private spaceship soared over California to claim a $10 million prize, daredevil venture capitalist Alan Walton was 68 and thought he’d soon be on a rocket ride of his own. Olympic boom? Or Olympic bust? Going for the gold doesn’t always pay off for Olympic hostsBig sporting events have big budgets. Depending whom you ask, they have big payoffs, too. Who owns the past? A town collects and sells Indian artifacts, and pays the priceBLANDING, Utah — High above the spiky sandstone spine known as Comb Ridge that snakes for 120 miles through the desert, archaeologist Winston Hurst treads carefully through a cave of ruins. Politicians beware: Photo exhibit chronicles the impact of oil just blocks from White HouseWASHINGTON — Politicians, cover your eyes. Afghan immigrant accused in NYC terror plot grew up with radical influences through his lifeNEW YORK — If he chose to listen, Najibullah Zazi could hear the calls for violence all around him. |