KMPH Fox 26 Central San Joaquin Valley News Source in Fresno, California Entertainment, News, Sports and Weather | AP Top News at 10:03 a.m. EST

AP Top News at 10:03 a.m. EST

Bomb kills 3 US military trainers in NW Pakistan

SHAHI KOTO, Pakistan (AP) - A roadside bomb killed three U.S. soldiers and partly destroyed a girls' school in northwest Pakistan on Wednesday in an attack that drew attention to a little-publicized American military training mission in the al-Qaida and Taliban heartland. They were the first known U.S. military fatalities in Pakistan's lawless tribal regions near the Afghan border and a major victory for militants who have been hit hard by a surge of U.S. missile strikes and a major Pakistani army offensive.

Iraqi police: 20 killed in Karbala blast

BAGHDAD (AP) — A bomb planted on a parked motorcycle ripped through a crowd of Shiite pilgrims Wednesday, killing at least 20 people and wounding more than 100 just days after authorities promised tighter security to combat a string of attacks on the huge religious procession, officials said. The blast on the outskirts of the holy city of Karbala was the second major scene of bloodshed this week as hundreds of thousands of pilgrims make their way to an important annual Shiite religious observance. It raised fears of a spike in attacks by suspected Sunni insurgents when the pilgrimage culminates Friday.

Ill. gov. declares victory, challenger vows fight

CHICAGO (AP) - An Illinois primary election that was supposed to set the stage for a high-stakes political showdown in President Barack Obama's home state instead produced intense confusion: virtual ties in the Democratic and Republican races for governor. Gov. Pat Quinn held a tiny lead Wednesday over Comptroller Dan Hynes in the Democratic primary. The margin of less than 1 percent was enough for Quinn to claim victory, but Hynes insisted the fight was not over.

Toyota hit by over 100 Prius brake complaints

TOKYO (AP) - Toyota Motor Corp. has been hit by over 100 complaints in the U.S. and Japan about brake problems with the popular Prius hybrid, the latest in a spate of quality troubles for the automaker as it grapples with massive global recalls. The Japanese company's sales are being battered in the U.S. - Toyota's biggest market - after recalls of top-selling models to fix a gas pedal that can stick in the depressed position.

Genocide charge now possible for Sudan's al-Bashir

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The International Criminal Court was wrong when it decided that Sudan's leader can't be charged with genocide in Darfur, appeals judges said Wednesday — an unprecedented ruling that could lead to President Omar al-Bashir's indictment with humanity's worst crime. The appeals ruling also put other leaders around the world on notice that the court will not balk at charging them with genocide if they persecute their own people.

Stocks retreat in early morning trading

NEW YORK (AP) - Stocks retreated modestly early Wednesday following a mixed batch of earnings. The decline comes even after a payroll company's report on job cuts in January was better than expected. A report on the service sector is due out later that is likely to show further signs of an economic recovery.

Obama responds to ire over 2nd anti-Vegas remark

LAS VEGAS (AP) - President Barack Obama is known for having a way with words, but some lawmakers from Nevada wish he would pipe down about trips to Sin City. After sparking a firestorm of criticism from Nevada's elected officials for suggesting that people saving money for college shouldn't blow it in Las Vegas, Obama told U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in a letter that he wasn't saying anything negative about Las Vegas.

Jackson family wants harsher charge against doctor

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Michael Jackson's family believes involuntary manslaughter charges against the pop singer's physician would be "just a slap on the wrist," attorney Brian Oxman said Wednesday. Oxman told CBS' "The Early Show" that Dr. Conrad Murray displayed recklessness in dispensing powerful drugs to help Jackson sleep, warranting a second-degree murder charge. Involuntary manslaughter — the charge prosecutors reportedly plan to seek — carries a maximum jail sentence of just four years.

New Zealand virgin auctions herself for tuition

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) - A New Zealand teenager who says she auctioned her virginity online for $32,000 to raise tuition money did not break any laws but it might be risky for her to follow through on the deal, police warned Wednesday. The anonymous 19-year-old student offered her virginity to the highest bidder on the Web site www.ineed.co.nz under the name "Unigirl," saying she would use the money to pay for her tuition. She said in a post that more than 30,000 people had viewed her ad and more than 1,200 had made bids before she accepted an offer of more than New Zealand dollars 45,000 ($32,000).

New Orleans filling up for Super Bowl

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Mardi Gras falls on a Sunday this year. The city of the Saints is filling up with ex-New Orleanians and others ahead of the Super Bowl, many looking to cast off a legacy of football futility and natural disaster - others just looking to party down in one of the world's greatest party towns.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.