National and International News - Saturday Jan. 27

WHITE HOUSE (AP) - President Bush will take some time today to focus on issues closer to home than the war in Iraq. He's using his weekend radio chat today to promote initiatives on health care and energy. He'll hit the road next week to talk up the economy.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Thousands of protesters are expected in Washington today for a rally protesting the war in Iraq. Among them will be a small group of active-duty military troops. Organizers hope the event sparks a nationwide movement to bring U-S troops home.

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - Iraqi police say at least eleven people are dead after two car bombs blew up today in a mainly Shiite area of Baghdad. Nearly three dozen other people were hurt. Some of the victims hit by the second bomb had been drawn to the scene by the first.

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says she has a better understanding of the Iraq prime minister's point of view after meeting with him Friday in Baghdad. Iraqi officials say she also discussed security and Iraq's political situation with President Jalal Talabani.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - North Korea denies it's helping Iran develop nuclear weapons. A statement by the foreign ministry says the accusation is a "sheer lie and fabrication" spread by the Western media.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Eight Democratic presidential contenders re slated to be interviewed by one of the most politically influential labor unions. The Service Employees International Union says it wants candidates to spend time with its members before it hands down its endorsement.

NEW DELHI (AP) - At least eleven schoolgirls have been killed in a school building collapse in India. Another 14 were injured. Officials have ended the rescue effort, saying no one else appears to be trapped in the debris.

CHICAGO (AP) - Three people remain hospitalized after a high-rise apartment fire that killed two people in Chicago. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the blaze, which began on the 26th floor of the 43-story building.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Prince Charles and his wife Camilla have arrived in Philadelphia, where they're scheduled to make appearances today at Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell and other landmarks. The couple's two-day trip to the U-S includes a stop tomorrow in New York City.

ARICOPA, Ariz. (AP) - Police in Arizona say a six-year-old girl who was abducted Friday by a registered sex offender may have been molested. Police are looking for George Horner, who had been staying with the girl and her mother. The child was found walking by herself in a nearby town.

TORONTO (AP) - The U-S is keeping him on its terrorist watch list but Canada has apologized to a Syrian-born Canadian for its role in helping the U-S deport him to Syria where he was tortured. Canada is paying him nearly nine (m) million dollars in compensation for the ordeal, exonerating him of any terror connections.

NORTH BONNEVILLE, Wash. (AP) - A Washington state man is in police custody for investigation of domestic assault after he admitted using a stun gun on his wife's 79-year-old grandmother. The man says the two had argued and he shocked her when she refused to leave. She wasn't otherwise injured.

SAN DIEGO (AP) - Navy officials say a helicopter crew had time to put out a mayday call before their chopper crashed off the coast of Southern California yesterday. The helicopter had been on a training mission. One rescued sailor later died. The search continues for the three crewmen missing.

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) - Duke University's men's lacrosse team is back on the field, practicing for the new season. The 2006 season was canceled after a woman accused three players of raping her at a team party. Some of the charges have since been dropped and the prosecutor is accused of ethical misconduct.

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Miss America will be crowned Monday night on the Country Music Television cable channel. The pageant has been moved from its usual Saturday-night spot in an effort to draw a bigger T-V audience. It'll be broadcast live from Las Vegas.