Home prices gain...Iran wants changes...Quitting over Afghanistan

NEW YORK (AP) Stocks are higher in the opening moments of trading after a new report showed home prices rose for the third consecutive month. The Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller home price index, which measures housing prices in 20 major metropolitan markets, rose 1 percent in August from July. It's the third straight monthly improvement.

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) Iran is seeking changes to a proposal from the U.N. calling on Iran to ship enriched uranium out of the country for final processing. State TV says Iran opposes shipping its full stockpile of low-enriched uranium at once. The plan is aimed at easing Western worries about the country's ability to create nuclear weapons.

Washington (AP) As the Obama administration considers what course to take in Afghanistan, a former Marine who served with the State Department in Afghanistan is describing the war as a wasted effort. Matthew Hoh is quitting in protest of the war there. The Washington Post says he served in a Taliban stronghold in Afghanistan after joining the State Department.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) For a second day, former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic (RA'-doh-van KA'-ra-jich) is boycotting his U.N. trial. Prosecutors are starting to outline their genocide case against him. A judge says the court in the Netherlands will consider imposing a lawyer to represent Karadzic if he continues to boycott the proceedings.

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) Former President George W. Bush has used a paid motivational speech in Fort Worth, Texas, to urge listeners to stand by their beliefs. Bush spoke to about 11,000 people at a "Get Motivated" business seminar. A spokesperson for the group declined to tell the Fort Worth Star-Telegram how much Bush was paid.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 10-27-09 0854CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list