SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — U.S. officials say there's no indication that a plane carrying former President Bill Clinton and his party has left North Korea. North Korean officials reported earlier that the plane had departed. That report did not specify whether two American journalists pardoned by North Korean leader Kim Jong Il were with the Clinton party.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The families of journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee are rejoicing about the pardons of the two American journalists held for months in North Korea. The families have issued a statement thanking former President Bill Clinton and former Vice President Al Gore for their help. Ling and Lee were jailed for allegedly entering North Korea illegally.

CAMP RAMADI, Iraq (AP) — The top U.S. commander in Iraq is disputing a colonel's call for the U.S. military to declare victory in Iraq and leave ahead of schedule. General Ray Odierno said today that an American role is needed over the next 2 and 1/2 years even though security is better than expected. U.S. forces pulled back from urban areas on June 30th.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says the Senate will approve additional funding for the "cash-for-clunkers" program before lawmakers leave town Friday. Republican leaders say they won't block efforts to extend the popular rebate program.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — A government report released today says a middle-income family with a child born last year will spend about $221,000 raising that child through age 17. Housing is listed as the largest single expense, followed by food and child care/education costs.