Boomer the buster? ND woman thinks dog at 7 feet long, 3 feet tall at shoulders may be record

CASSELTON, N.D. — Boomer may be a buster: Measuring 3 feet tall at the shoulders and 7 feet long from nose to destructive wagging tail, he might be the world’s tallest living dog.

Man running for office in Ohio puts names of political opponents on tombstones in his yard

SYLVANIA, Ohio — A man running for office in Ohio has put a Halloween display in his yard that includes tombstones bearing the names of his political opponents. Royal Barber of Sylvania Township near Toledo said it’s all in good fun. Some of his opponents don’t think so.

R. Madhavan to endorse Spark Mobiles

Spark Mobiles, part of UAE based Spark Group of Companies announced their foray into the Indian market while also appointing multi-lingual actor R. Madhavan as the official brand ambassador for its new range of mobile handsets which will be launched before the end of calendar year 2009 in India. Targeted for the Indian consumers, the handsets will be aimed at consumers across all segments.

So, ‘whatever,’ totally tops most annoying word poll, but ‘you know’ is, like, meh

So, you know, it is what it is, but Americans are totally annoyed by the use of “whatever” in conversations.

Synovis says it can sell tissue repair devices following California health inspection

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Synovis Life Technologies Inc. said Wednesday its orthopedic and wound care business passed a California health inspection, allowing it to make and sell two soft tissue repair products.

Pakistan FM tells Washington audience US aid crucial, calls for stronger talks on Afghanistan

WASHINGTON — Pakistan’s foreign minister says a proposed multibillion-dollar U.S. aid package is crucial to Islamabad’s efforts to fight terrorists even as his country’s military questioned that aid as potentially meddlesome.

Treasury prices climb after strong demand for $20 billion in 10-year notes

NEW YORK — Treasury prices recovered Wednesday, bouncing back from declines a day earlier, following strong demand at the government’s latest debt auction.

Police won’t arrest man who dragged 12-foot cross from Texas to Washington hometown

ABERDEEN, Wash. — A man who dragged a 12-foot cross from Longview, Texas, to his home in Washington state had some good news when he arrived.

Live Nation extends Wednesday ticket discounts to its clubs

LOS ANGELES — Concert promoter Live Nation Inc. is extending its discount Wednesdays program to include general admission tickets at its clubs this week, as a successful summer of concerts at its larger amphitheaters winds down.

Holder calls beating death of Chicago teen a ‘wake-up call’ that should be a call to action

CHICAGO — Attorney General Eric Holder called the beating death of a Chicago teen a “stark wake-up call” that should serve as a call to action.

Newseum acquires Tim Russert’s office desk, plans exhibit recreating his NBC office

WASHINGTON — Longtime “Meet the Press” moderator Tim Russert’s office is going on display next month at the Newseum in Washington.

Daughter of slain Florida couple tells Oprah Winfrey about raising parents’ children

CHICAGO — A Florida woman said she is fulfilling a promise she never thought she’d have to keep by raising nine special-needs children her parents had adopted before they were shot to death in their home in July.

EPA to re-evaluate health effects of popular farm weed killer found in drinking water supplies

WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency said Wednesday that it will re-evaluate the health effects of a popular weed killer that has been found in drinking water supplies.

Biden stumps for NJ Gov. Corzine at union convention, says has unwavering White House support

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — Vice President Joe Biden says New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine has complete and unwavering support from the White House because “it’s critically important he be re-elected.”

Chicago-area investor wants bidding process for Sun-Times reopened

CHICAGO — There’s no one else interested in buying the Chicago Sun-Times. Or is there?

NYC undercover stings show gun show sellers ignoring federal background check requirements

NEW YORK — Investigators hired by New York City conducted stings at gun shows in states that have not closed the “gun show loophole” and found some vendors openly selling weapons to buyers who admitted they couldn’t pass background checks.

A look at the 2010 Lexis IS 350C

2010 Lexus IS 350C

BASE PRICE: $38,490 for IS 250C with manual transmission; $39,660 for IS 250C automatic; $43,940 for IS 350C.

Pie time? 1,725-pound pumpkin takes the prize in Ohio contest, could be world’s largest

CANTON, Ohio — A teacher from Ohio has won top honors in a pumpkin-growing contest with a 1,725-pound behemoth that could land worldwide bragging rights.

GM CEO Henderson says GM’s global market share has risen slightly from first half

DETROIT — General Motors Co. CEO Fritz Henderson says the automaker’s global market share has risen slightly in the third quarter versus the first half of this year. But the figure is still below last year.

China envoy says North Korea’s new attitude on nuclear talks is step in the right direction

BEIJING — China’s top envoy on North Korean issues said Wednesday that Pyongyang’s readiness to hold discussions with the U.S. is a positive development that could pave the way for a resumption of stalled international talks on the North’s nuclear program.

Estate of soprano Beverly Sills up for sale in NYC; collection includes jewelry, art

NEW YORK — The estate of soprano Beverly Sills is being auctioned in New York City.

Ciena agrees to buy Nortel assets for $521 million, path still open for higher bids

LINTHICUM, Md. — Ciena Corp. says it has agreed to buy the optical networking and carrier Ethernet assets of Nortel Networks’ Metro Ethernet Networks business for roughly $521 million in cash and stock.

Iraqi official: Iranian opposition members freed in Iraq but their deportation order stands

BAGHDAD — A group of 36 Iranian opposition members were returned Wednesday to an exile camp in northern Iraq after nearly three months in Iraqi custody and despite an ongoing effort to expel them, a government spokesman said.

Miami grants historic protection to modern, artsy Bacardi USA headquarters from 1960s, 70s

MIAMI — Two iconic Miami office buildings erected in the 1960s and 1970s as the headquarters of Bacardi USA are now historic sites.

Bondholders battling Donald Trump for 3 Atlantic City casinos boost offer to by $50M to $225M

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — Bondholders battling Donald Trump for control of Trump Entertainment Resorts’ three Atlantic City casinos have raised their offer to $225 million — well in excess of what the real estate mogul and reality TV star has offered to regain the gambling company he once ran.

Pakistan’s powerful military expresses ’serious concern’ over multibillion US aid package

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s powerful military on Wednesday rejected U.S. attempts to link billions of dollars in foreign aid to increased monitoring of its anti-terror efforts, complicating American attempts to strike al-Qaida and Taliban fighters on the Afghan border.

Palestinian Hamas bans motorbike riders from carrying women, another step in ‘virtue campaign’

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — The Hamas government has banned motorcycle riders from carrying women on the back seat — the latest in the militants’ virtue campaign in Gaza.

EU fines 3 European, 3 Japanese makers of power transformers €67.6 million for cartel

BRUSSELS — The European Union says it its fining three European and three Japanese makers of power transformers a total of euro67.6 million for agreeing not to sell their in each other’s markets.

Guinea opposition says it won’t take part in talks unless military leader leaves office

CONAKRY, Guinea — Guinea’s main opposition coalition is demanding that the country’s military leader step down before it will participate in talks with the ruling junta.

Key Nigerian militants taking part in amnesty deal, government official says

ABUJA, Nigeria — Key Nigerian militants have agreed to disarm and a government spokeswoman said that is improving the country’s oil production. Analysts, though, warned Wednesday that militant attacks could resume after a cease-fire expires next week.