ISLAMABAD (AP) — Eight days into their offensive against the Taliban and al-Qaida stronghold along the Afghan border, Pakistani officials are claiming a victory. They say the army has captured the strategically located hometown of Pakistan's Taliban chief. Elsewhere in the northwest, authorities say a suspected U.S. missile killed 14 people but apparently missed a top Taliban figure.

KABUL (AP) — Taliban fighters are warning Afghans not to take part in the country's upcoming presidential runoff. They're threatening to launch a fresh wave of violence on polling day to stop them. The warnings come on the first official day of campaigning.

BERLIN (AP) — Germany has a new government. Chancellor Angela Merkel (AHN'-geh-lah MEHR'-kuhl) announced a center-right coalition with the Free Democrats after nearly four weeks of negotiations. Merkel says the new government will look to overhaul the country's health care system, and increase child subsidies and future tax cuts.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is calling on banks to lend more money to small businesses. In his weekly radio and Internet address, Obama says too many small business owners remain unable to get credit despite administration steps to jump-start lending. He says taxpayers stood by the banks during the financial crisis, now banks should "fulfill their responsibility to help ensure a wider recovery."

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans are asking voters to consider whether Democratic proposals to overhaul the nation's health care system will improve their lives. In the GOP's weekly address, Nebraska Sen. Mike Johanns says current proposals won't lower costs or make it easier to get health care, and may do the opposite.