JERUSALEM – Israeli officials on Tuesday said their military offensive in Lebanon could last several more weeks and possibly involve large numbers of ground forces — casting doubt on the effectiveness of growing diplomatic efforts to broker a cease-fire. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told a visiting U.N. delegation that “Israel …

LOS ANGELES – “Pirates of the Caribbean” is looking more like “Treasure Island.” Already a record-shattering blockbuster, Johnny Depp’s sequel “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest” dug up $62.2 million in its second weekend, raising its 10-day total to $258.2 million according to studio estimates Sunday. The movie has …

This is a partial transcript from “Hannity & Colmes,” July 24, 2006, that has been edited for clarity. SEAN HANNITY, CO-HOST: And welcome back to “Hannity & Colmes.” Joining us now, former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) HANNITY: Mr. Prime Minister, as you know, the secretary of …

WASHINGTON – The House of Representatives has voted overwhelmingly to allow U.S. shipments of civilian nuclear fuel and technology to India, handing President George W. Bush a major victory on one of his top foreign policy initiatives. Congressman Tom Lantos said the proposal, which reverses decades of U.S. anti-proliferation policy, …

PARIS – Airbus acknowledged Monday it had reinforced the rear fuselage of its superjumbo A380 after problems were detected, but insisted the issue did not cause any further delays in the plane’s production timetable. Airbus spokeswoman Barbara Kracht sought to play down a report in German weekly Der Spiegel on …

WASHINGTON – The House on Monday approved a bill that would impose sanctions on the government of Sudan, as lawmakers warned that tougher action is needed to stem the death and suffering in that nation’s Darfur region. The bill, passed by unanimous consent, authorizes sanctions against anyone President Bush determines …

NEW YORK – The founder of a hedge fund that lost about $6 billion because of bad energy trades said in a letter to investors this week the fund is preparing to shut down, according to a published report. Nicholas Maounis of Amaranth Advisors LLC wrote that the fund is …

LEVITTOWN, Pa. – Police in Bucks County have charged 12 women after an investigation into prostitutes who allegedly have been advertising on the Web site Craigslist. After police received a tip in August about alleged prostitutes advertising on the site, investigators called cell phone numbers in local listings that advertised …

PRAGUE, Czech Republic – The Czech Republic’s new prime minister on Sunday said he supported a possible U.S. missile defense base on Czech territory. “The whole thing is a problem of collective security, and it does not go against the interests of NATO and the European Union,” Mirek Topolanek said …

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Mayors from 32 U.S cities were urged Saturday to be leaders in slowing global warming by taking steps in their communities. “We need to find the leadership in this country,” said Mayor Rocky Anderson of Salt Lake City at a conference on climate change. “If it’s not …