Bomb kills 11 at police HQ in southern Afghanistan

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AP) — A suicide bomber blew himself up Sunday at the main gate of a provincial police headquarters in southern Afghanistan, killing at least 11 people in a city where Afghans have recently taken control of security.

Separately, five international service members were killed Sunday.

The suicide bombing in Lashkar Gah was the latest in a string of attacks in the south in recent weeks that have included assassinations of high-level government officials in neighboring Kandahar and a coordinated attack against government buildings in Uruzgan province that killed 19 people last week.

The high-profile attacks have provoked a growing sense of insecurity in …

Promoting the peace message

Delegates discussed peacemaking, passed a peace proclamation motion, and heard testimony about Anabaptist peace theology in their two morning delegate sessions on the second day of the national church assembly.

While Mennonites have a 500-year history of peace theology, the strongest delegate reaction of the morning-a standing ovation-came in response to someone speaking for a church that has adopted these priorities much more recently.

Raquel Contreras, president of the Baptist Union of Chile, a century-old group of about 500 churches in the South American country, told delegates about her denomination's decision to step onto a new theological path for its next hundred …

Parents, 2 Girls Dead in Murder-Suicide

ORINDA, Calif. - A man apparently distraught over financial problems shot his wife and two young children to death before turning the gun on himself at a popular park in the hills east of San Francisco Bay, police said.

An officer responding Monday night to a report of fireworks going off found the bodies at a remote area of Tilden Regional Park, in the East Bay area between Berkeley and Orinda.

A note found at the scene, apparently written by Kevin Morrissey, 51, indicated he was distressed about money difficulties at the skin care practice he ran with his wife, East Bay Regional Park Police Chief Timothy Anderson said.

"It sure does look like it was a …

Obama noncombat troops in Afghan have vital role

President Barack Obama says noncombat troops in Afghanistan are as important as those directly in harm's way.

Obama spoke Saturday at a news conference after the 60th anniversary NATO summit in Strasbourg, France.

The president was asked about allied commitments of …

Redgrave sisters get two chances to work together

LOS ANGELES It is 10 p.m. in a big, wonderfully atmospheric oldhouse here, and filming has just been completed on a project that isbound to raise eyebrows: an ABC remake for television of the BetteDavis-Joan Crawford Gothic horror classic, "What Ever Happened toBaby Jane?"

On the grounds behind the house, a wrap party has begun. Butinside, the two stars whose performances are certain to invitecomparison with Crawford and Davis are seated side-by-side on acouch, elated by their experience of finally working together.

They are sisters: Vanessa and Lynn Redgrave. Their lives andcareers have taken them in different directions, even geographically.Vanessa, 53, lives …

Pescante resigning as IOC vice president

ROME (AP) — IOC member Mario Pescante is stepping down from his position as vice president of the Olympic body, saying he feels let down by the Italian government's refusal to back Rome's bid to host the 2020 Games.

Rome's bid was withdrawn last week after Premier Mario Monti declined to provide the required government financial guarantees to the International Olympic Committee at a time of economic crisis in Italy.

Pescante, a longtime power broker in Italy's sports establishment, was the leader of the Rome bid. While remaining as a regular IOC member, Pescante said Tuesday he is resigning as one of the committee's four vice presidents.

"My resignation shouldn't be …

Stricklen helps Tennessee beat Oklahoma 96-75

Shekinna Stricklen had the second triple-double in Tennessee history, finishing with 17 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists in the fourth-ranked Lady Volunteers' 96-75 victory over No. 14 Oklahoma on Sunday night.

Stricklen completed the triple-double with her 10th rebound with 8:58 left.

Angie Bjorklund led Tennessee with 25 …