MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. – Google Inc. (GOOG) on Monday released the latest upgrades to the mapping tools that rank among the company’s biggest success outside the Internet-leading search engine that steers much of the Web’s traffic. The improvements include a major expansion of the satellite imagery included in Google’s three-dimensional …

BAGHDAD, Iraq – The prosecution in the trial of Saddam Hussein began giving its closing arguments Monday, launching the final phase of the eight-month-old trial against the former leader and seven ex-members of his regime for crimes against humanity. The defense is scheduled to start its final arguments on July …

NEW YORK – Starbucks Corp. (SBUX) may be next on the target list of a consumer-health group that this week sued the operator of the KFC fried chicken restaurant chain for frying foods in oils high in harmful trans fat. The Center for Science in the Public Interest said it …

RENO, Nev. – Police found bomb materials and ammunition in the bedroom of a man accused of killing his estranged wife and shooting a family court judge, according to court documents. Authorities were still searching for Darren Mack, who disappeared after the June 12 stabbing of his wife and shooting …

WASHINGTON – Most American households are doing a good job managing their finances, although lower-income families — which generally have less of a financial cushion to deal with unexpected problems — face challenges, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said Tuesday. Bernanke made his observations as families are coping with higher …

WASHINGTON – The Bush administration is shrugging off comments by Iran’s supreme leader that his country doesn’t need to discuss its nuclear weapons program with Washington. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said talks with the United States would have “no benefit” for Iran, so there’s no need to hold them. White House …

DILI, East Timor – Thousands of protesters demanded the ouster of East Timor‘s prime minister Saturday, blaming him for provoking violence and political chaos. The noise of the demonstration forced the cancellation of a ruling party meeting on whether to fire Mari Alkatiri, who has been accused of arming a …

NEW YORK – Greg Kinnear is a new father. His wife, Helen, gave birth to their second daughter this week in Los Angeles, the actor’s publicist said Friday. Audrey Mae Kinnear was born Tuesday, Kinnear’s representative, Matt Lubov, told The Associated Press. Their first child, Lily Kathryn, was born in …

RALEIGH, N.C. – A woman who said she was raped by three Duke University lacrosse players was nervous when she spoke to an investigator and changed her story several times, according to a police report released Friday. Authorities said previously in affidavits the accuser reported she was raped by three …

WASHINGTON – The boxes arrive every month at churches, senior citizen centers and other sites for distribution to nearly a half-million poor elderly people. Each is stocked with a mix of nutritious foods such as cereal, peanut butter, fruit, vegetables and pasta. Sometimes volunteers deliver them right to people’s homes. …