AP - Not-for-profit nursing homes generally provide better care than those operated for profit, an analysis of state inspections for some 16,000 homes nationwide found.

Reuters - West Anstey is a fairly ordinary rural village in the county of Devon.

Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander will seek powers to create toll roads across the UK, reports say.

AP - A nationwide clemency aimed at easing Italy's overcrowded jails drew criticism after a man jailed for domestic abuse allegedly tried to kill his ex-wife hours after his release and another freed prisoner attempted to rob a restaurant.

Reuters - A record-breaking U.S. heat wave that has killed more than 150 people nationwide in the past two weeks claimed two more victims on Thursday just as relief was due.

Reuters - A record-breaking U.S. heat wave that has killed more than 150 people nationwide in the past two weeks claimed two more victims on Thursday just as relief was due.

House prices grew by 0.8% in July, the Nationwide says, lifting the annual growth rate to 5.9%.

Some needle exchange programs are giving heroin addicts prescriptions for naloxone, a drug with the potential to halt an overdose. More than 400 deaths nationwide from heroin laced with the painkiller fentanyl have occurred nationwide, and those who are prescribing the drug, which is sold under...

AP - In the wake of more than 400 deaths nationwide from heroin laced with the painkiller fentanyl, some needle exchange programs are giving addicts prescriptions for a drug to keep on hand to halt an overdose.

AFP - Another 21 people died from lightning and house collapses in northern India, an official said, taking the nationwide death toll to at least 328 since the monsoon began two months ago.

AP - A heat wave has killed 64 people in France, a top health official said Thursday. The scorching temperatures, which have lasted about two weeks and prompted a nationwide heat-relief plan, have recalled memories of a 2003 heat wave in which 15,000 people, mostly elderly, died.

AP - Pro-government militia fighters in western Ivory Coast began laying down arms on Wednesday, the first step of a delayed nationwide disarmament program in this war-divided West African nation.

AP - Workers in food factories nationwide need immediate government protection from a flavoring chemical blamed for a debilitating lung disease and used in products from microwave popcorn to dog food, labor unions and physicians said Wednesday.

Congress on Tuesday passed a bill that would set up a online database designed to easily track sex offenders nationwide. The legislation sent to President Bush on Tuesday is expected to be signed into law on Thursday.

AP - Three major gay-rights groups are taking out full-page advertisements starting Tuesday in 50 newspapers nationwide declaring their determination to keep fighting for same-sex marriage rights despite recent court setbacks.

AP - Nationwide gas prices hit an all-time high in the last two weeks, rising nearly 2 cents to just over $3 per gallon, according to a survey released Sunday.

AP - Nationwide gas prices hit an all-time high in the last two weeks, rising nearly 2 cents to just over $3 per gallon, according to a survey released Sunday.

Thunderstorms Friday knocked out electricity for about 480,000 homes and businesses in St. Louis. But the bright side is that cooler temperatures have arrived after 29 heat-related deaths occurred last week nationwide.

AP - A movie made by Baptist pastors using their congregation as cast and crew is a long shot for the Hollywood treatment. But "Facing the Giants," an inspirational film about a chronically losing high school football team, is heading to 400 theaters nationwide after becoming embroiled in a ratings dispute that reached the halls of Congress.

Spokeswoman Mary Breslauer announces Friday the lesbian couple whose landmark lawsuit helped Massachusetts become the only state in America where same-sex couples can marry legally have split up. Sparking a nationwide debate on gay marriage, Julie and Hillary Goodridge and six other gay and...