Attacks in Pakistan...Congratulating Karzai...Toning down praise

LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) There have been two suicide bomb attacks in Pakistan today. The latest struck a police checkpoint on the outskirts of Lahore. Officials say police officers were about to search a car, when the attacker blew it up. Seven officers were injured. The blast came hours after a suicide bomber killed 35 people outside a bank in the city of Rawalpindi.

KABUL (AP) Afghan President Hamid Karzai is receiving congratulations from the U.S. its allies today. The country's election commission has declared him the winner in the presidential election, after his challenger announced yesterday he was dropping out of Saturday's scheduled runoff. The U.S. embassy says it's looking forward to working with Karzai to support reform and improve security.

MARRAKECH, Morocco (AP) Secretary of State Hillary Rodham CLinton is toning down her praise for Israel's offer to slow the construction of settlements in Palestinian areas. In Morocco, Clinton says Israel is moving in the right direction, but its offer "falls far short" of U.S. expectations for a total halt. She says her comments Saturday, which were criticized by Arab nations, were meant as "positive reinforcement."


SAN FRANCISCO (AP) There's some hope for Bay area commuters today, just not much this morning. The San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge remains closed, but officials say the span likely will re-open later today. The bridge has been closed since last Tuesday after two rods and a crossbar failed, sending 5,000 pounds of metal into traffic.

NEW YORK (AP) A new Navy ship built with steel from the World Trade Center has arrived in New York City, greeted by a 21-gun salute. First responders, families of Sept. 11 victims and the public gathered to welcome the USS New York as it sailed near the site of the 2001 attack. The ship will remain in New York through Veteran's Day, then move on to Norfolk, Va. for a year.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-02-09 0847CST | save this article / add to your favorites list