Mayor promises help to fire victims...CLinton would be well received...Bailout foes

LOS ANGELES (AP) California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the mayor of Los Angeles have toured a mobile home park in which 500 homes were destroyed by fire yesterday. It was home to many elderly residents. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is promising to do all he can to help them. Today, the flames are threatening some expensive homes in Diamond Bar in Los Angeles County.

Washington (AP) Senators from both sides of the aisle are saying Hillary Rodham Clinton would be a good choice for secretary of state. She's among those who've been talked to by Barack Obama about the job. And Bill Clinton says if his wife is the one who's chosen, he thinks she'll be a "really great" secretary of state.

WASHINGTON (AP) A bailout of the U.S. auto industry is not a done deal. Some hardline Republican opponents of a bailout are suggesting that a bailout would only postpone the inevitable.

Senate Democrats intend to introduce legislation tomorrow attaching an auto industry bailout to a measure extending unemployment benefits. A vote could come as early as Wednesday.

BAGHDAD (AP) There's been a lot of tense back-and-forth, as Iraq tries to protect both its security and its sovereignty. But now, a security pact with Washington that will allow U.S. troops to stay in Iraq for three more years is moving forward. It was approved by Iraq's Cabinet today, and sent along to the parliament.

JOMBA, Congo (AP) There are hopes for peace today in Congo, where the African country's main rebel leader is promising a U.N.

envoy that he'll support a cease-fire, and the U.N.'s efforts to end the fighting. The diplomat says he hopes the warring parties will hold peace talks in Kenya.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-16-08 1442CST | save this article / add to your favorites list