Afghan troop decision...Automakers' fortunes...Better than expected

Washington (AP) The White House says President Barack Obama's decision on whether to send more troops to Afghanistan will come in "a matter of weeks." Spokesman Robert Gibbs isn't saying whether it might happen sooner than expected, now that the presidential election has been settled. Gibbs says Obama plans to call President Hamid Karzai, who was declared the winner after his opponent withdrew from the race.

DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) Ford has surprised investors by reporting a nearly $1 billion third-quarter profit. The automaker says it expects to be "solidly profitable" in 2011. Meanwhile, the Government Accountability Office says it's unlikely that taxpayers will fully recoup the more than $80 billion invested in General Motors or Chrysler. It says the companies' value would need to "grow substantially."


NEW YORK (AP) Better-than-expected numbers on manufacturing, construction and homes sales are boosting hopes for the economic recovery. A closely followed private sector gauge of manufacturing activity is showing growth for the third straight month. Meanhwile, the government reports a 0.8 percent increase in construction spending, and the National Realtors Association says pending home sales are 21 percent higher than a year ago.

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (AP) Fort Bragg officials say a civilian was scavenging for scrap metal when he stepped on a round and it exploded, killing him last week. A second man was injured in the blast. The post says the men were not Army employees and the incident is being investigated.

CHIPLEY, Fla. (AP) Authorities in the Florida Panhandle say a 7-month-old infant has gone missing from her home. The Washington County Sheriff's Office says Shannon Dedrick disappeared sometime between 3 a.m. and 11 a.m. Saturday. Search and rescue workers from three counties have been scouring the area with K-9 teams and volunteers.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-02-09 1347CST | save this article / add to your favorites list