Iraqi officials say that Iran wants to hold ambassadorial-level talks with U.S. over Iraq

BAGHDAD -Iran wants to renew high-level talks with U.S. officials on security in Iraq, insisting that discussions take place between ambassadors and not lower-level functionaries, Iraqi officials said Monday.

FCC chief defends changes in media ownership rules while others warn of wave of mergers

Robbery suspect is shot and wounded at suburban Atlanta shooting mall

DECATUR - A robbery suspect was shot and wounded by police in the parking lot outside a suburban Atlanta mall on Monday, authorities said.

Cincinnati archdiocese turns to online collection baskets as source for weekly tithing

CINCINNATI - No cash for the collection basket at church? No problem.

Study says many parents of fat children are in denial about their youngsters' weight

DETROIT - A startling number of parents may be in denial about their youngsters' weight.

A cheerful Christmas in Bethlehem

BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) - Gloom was banished from Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem for the first time in years on Monday as Christian pilgrims from all over the world flocked here to celebrate Jesus' birth in an atmosphere of renewed tranquility.

Pakistan election campaign intensifies as opposition leaders criticize Musharraf

SUKKUR, Pakistan - Pakistan's opposition leaders fanned out across the country Monday, lashing out at President Pervez Musharraf and telling thousands of people at raucous political rallies to vote for change.

Decades later, the notion that crack is far more dangerous than cocaine is widely disputed

Candidates court vote of Kenya's Muslim minority in nation's closest election ever

KIBERA, Kenya - In the Kenyan slum of Kibera these days, the ancient cadences of the Muslim call to prayer compete with election propaganda blaring from loudspeakers.

Bush makes holiday phone calls to U.S. troops around the world

Leader of Iraq's Catholics urges emigrants to return in Christmas message

Virginia Tech victims' families lobby for state changes in gun, mental health laws

RICHMOND, Va. - As he sat in a hospital, watching blood ooze from his son Colin's gunshot wounds, Andrew Goddard negotiated with a higher power: Let my son live, and I will do what I can to spare another parent this torture.

Beauty salons enlisted in fight against domestic violence

NEW YORK - At the Divas beauty salon, Spanish-language talk shows play on the TV, blow driers and scissors are at the ready and customers chat about everything from men to money to jobs.

Pakistan opposition leader Bhutto says ruling party failing to fight Islamic militants

LARKANA, Pakistan - Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto accused the government Sunday of failing to crush Islamic militants, days after a suicide bombing killed 56 people during prayers in a mosque.

Living out parable of giving, congregation receives joy in return

CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio - The Rev. Hamilton Coe Throckmorton shivered with anticipation as he gazed at the loot - wads of $50 bills piled high beside boxes of crayons in a Sunday school classroom.

Customer service is Forest Heights Pharmacy’s first priority

Forest Heights Pharmacy, located at 4439 Country Club Road, was founded by the late Joel Sikes in 2006. He was a long time Brooklet resident. Joel sold the business to Ben Ross in 2008 after he became ill. Ben is a second generation pharmacist/pharmacy owner who grew up working in his dad's pharmacy, Ross Drug, in Sylvania. Ben, his wife, Lauren and their two girls, Lanie and Lucy Kate, are active Bulloch County residents.

Business Review - 180 fitness has commitment to fitness and wellness

In 2006, Angie Hitchens and Brandon Blair founded 180 fitness. Angie had managed Gold's Gym for 10 years prior to its closing and Brandon was an employee of Gold's. Together they have a commitment at 180 to bring our community together through fitness and wellness.

Business Review - Rest easier with Southeastern Alarm

Located in Statesboro, with over forty years of industry experience, since 1973, Bulloch County natives Lewis Spivey and Arthur Allen, Jr. own Southeastern Alarm & Technologies, Inc. Southeastern Alarm is the only full time locally owned and operated alarm company in Bulloch County.

Willingway, Georgia Southern conference will update addiction treatment methods

For Dr. Al Mooney, Director of Addiction Medicine and Recovery at Willingway, one of the key factors that distinguishes this week's Addiction Update Conference is its "focus on the solutions rather than the problems."

Deen Day Smith Awards - Past Honorees

Man of the Decade