PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies are heading back to the World Series. Last year's champions defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 10-4 to win the National League pennant in five games.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States is putting the pressure on Afghan President Hamid Karzai. The administration is signaling that a U.S. troop increase in Afghanistan could hinge on a successful runoff election, and that it's open to a power-sharing deal between Karzai and his chief rival.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Vice President Dick Cheney is criticizing the White House, saying that it's "dithering" over its strategy for the war in Afghanistan. Cheney told a conservative group that "signals of indecision out of Washington hurt our allies and embolden our adversaries."

WASHINGTON (AP) — A coalition of mega-bands and singers is expressing outrage that music — including theirs — was cranked up to help break uncooperative detainees at Guantanamo Bay. The artists are joining retired military officers and liberal activists to rally support for closing the Navy-run prison in Cuba.

NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — A retrial in the John Travolta extortion case has been ordered in the Bahamas. Judge Anita Allen issued the order Wednesday after a local politician said in a speech on TV and radio that one of the defendants had been acquitted. An ambulance driver and his lawyer were charged with trying to extort $25 million from John Travolta following the death of the actor's son.