WASHINGTON (AP) — Germany's newly re-elected leader is in Washington today. At the White House this morning, President Barack Obama thanked Angela Merkel (AHN'-geh-lah MEHR'-kuhl) for her country's "sacrifice" in keeping forces in Afghanistan. Merkel is due to address a joint meeting of Congress shortly. She's says she's looking to build support for a new global climate change deal.

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — The Taliban is denying claims by Pakistan that the army has won a series of battlefield victories in its offensive in South Waziristan. A spokesman says only 11 militants have been killed so far, and they are drawing government soldiers into a trap. The army says it has killed 21 militants in the past 24 hours alone and continues to press into Taliban territory.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia transit workers are on strike. Commuters found entrances to subway stations gated off this morning. Bus service in the city and surrounding counties has halted, too. While regional rail service is still operating, trains have been packed and delayed.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawyers will ask the Supreme Court to stop the execution of Washington-area sniper John Allen Muhammad. He's scheduled to die by lethal injection next week in Virginia for killing a man at a gas station. It was one of a series of shootings in October 2002 that left 10 people dead. Muhammad's teenage accomplice has been sentenced to life in prison.

NEW YORK (AP) — A price war started by Wal-Mart has made some newly released books a lot more affordable. Today Amazon.com is offering hardcovers of John Grisham's "Ford County" and Barbara Kingsolver's "The Lacuna" for just $9, on their official release date. Rival booksellers, publishers and authors worry that cutting prices so low will hurt the industry.