Green Zone blast as blair visits...No deal on Iraq war funding yet

BAGHDAD (AP) Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair is making an unannounced visit to Iraq for talks with Iraqi leaders. It'll likely be the last visit there for the outgoing leader. After his arrival, three mortar rounds or rockets exploded in the heavily fortified Green Zone, wounding one person.

Washington (AP) The administration says its willing to consider benchmarks for the Iraqi government but not troop withdrawal language in a bill to fund the Iraq war. Congressional Democrats offered to let President Bush waive any withdrawal timetable but say the White House turned them down.

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) A suicide bombing in northern Afghanistan has killed at least eight people including three German soldiers. The explosion went off near the soldiers in a crowded market where they were shopping. A gunbattle with allied forces near the capital, Kabul, left 20 militants dead.

UNDATED (AP) A cold front expected this weekend threatens to undo some of the progress made on a wildfire burning across hundreds of square miles in southern Georgia and northern Florida.

It's about 70 percent contained but a Florida forestry spokesman fears the fire will spread this weekend.

MALIBU, Calif. (AP) Today is a big day for Tour de France cycling winner Floyd Landis in his effort to overturn charges he illegally used synthetic testosterone. Landis is to testify at an arbitration hearing in California. Another cyclist told the panel it's easy to use the substance and not get caught.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 05-19-07 0348CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list