National and International News-Wednesday, Nov. 22nd

WASHINGTON (AP) - Expect Thanksgiving holiday travel to be busy and congested. Triple-A says 38-point-three million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home, an increase of nearly three-percent from last year. Most of the travelers will be in their cars.

WHITE HOUSE (AP) - Before he can enjoy his Thanksgiving dinner, President Bush has to cut the turkey -- loose that is. In an annual ritual dating back to Abraham Lincoln's time, Bush will "pardon" two turkeys today, sending them to live out the remainder of their lives in a park outside Washington.

WHITE HOUSE (AP) - President Bush is planning to head to the Middle East next week to discuss security with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki. White House officials say the two leaders will hear from a panel examining how to speed up the transition from coalition to Iraqi forces.

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - An attack apparently targeting the controversial Sunni speaker of Iraq's parliament is being condemned by Iraq's largest Sunni-Arab political party. It's a serious security breach for Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone. Violence in Iraq today has killed at least 13 people.

DANVERS, Mass. (AP) - There's been a big explosion and fire in Danvers, Massachusetts, about 20 miles north of Boston. There have been some injuries and damage to residential and commercial property. There's a propane storage area nearby but it's uncertain if that's the source.