Iraqi Cabinet approves deal...Bush's reasoning...Obama's thanks

BAGHDAD (AP) An Iraqi government spokesman says the Cabinet has approved a new security pact with the United States. It'll allow American forces to stay in Iraq for three years after their U.N. mandate expires at the end of 2008. The spokesman says the agreement will be submitted to parliament later today.

YORBA LINDA, Calif. (AP) One firefighter says what used to be "out-of-the-ordinary fires" are happening every year in Southern California. Several wildfires have combined to burn 26 square miles of land and hundreds of homes. A fire in Orange County also destroyed the main building of a high school.

Washington (AP) President Bush says the only reason he approved a $700 billion financial bailout is because he learned the U.S. was at risk of sinking into a "depression greater than the Great Depression." But an economic summit wrapped up with world leaders avoiding most of the hardest questions until next time.

CHICAGO (AP) Barack Obama is giving a special thank-you and farewell letter to the people of Illinois. In a letter that will be published in newspapers across the state, the president-elect says he's ending one journey to begin another.

HOUSTON (AP) Space shuttle Endeavour is getting ready to meet up with the international space station 220 miles high into the sky. Astronauts have about 14,000 pounds of home-improvement equipment to unload as they prepare to remodel the space station.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-16-08 0443CST | save this article / add to your favorites list