WASHINGTON – Qwest Communications International Inc., (Q) which lost a bidding war for MCI Inc. (MCIP) this week, said on Tuesday it posted a first-quarter profit due to the sale of assets from its wireless business. Qwest (search), the fourth-largest U.S. local telephone company, did not immediately provide an update …

WASHINGTON – U.S. business productivity (search) growth accelerated unexpectedly in the first quarter but labor costs picked up, according to a government report on Thursday that suggested a slight increase in profit and price pressures. Nonfarm business productivity, or output per worker hour, rose at a 2.6 percent annual pace …

JERUSALEM – Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said Monday that Israel will delay its evacuation of the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank until mid-August. Sharon told Israel television the evacuation of settlers from the 21 Gaza settlements would be delayed until after a religious mourning period, which ends …

KABUL, Afghanistan – Even as the Pentagon (search) prepares to shutter dozens of military bases in the United States, it is weighing offers from many foreign governments to set up shop on their soil or, in the case of anti-terror ally Afghanistan, stay put more permanently. The Bush administration is …

Washington lawmakers introduced a bill Thursday making it illegal for pharmacies to refuse to fill prescriptions for birth control. The move adds to a growing controversy over the right of pharmacists to withhold oral contraceptives from patients with valid doctor’s orders. Under the bill, pharmacists who refuse to fill any …

MADRID, Spain – At least 12 people were arrested Friday in connection with the train bombings in Madrid. The Interior Ministry said six Moroccans, three Syrians, one Egyptian, one Palestinian and one Algerian were arrested in raids in and around the city. Four of the Moroccans are brothers linked to …

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday declined to consider an appeal from commentator Rush Limbaugh (search) claiming his privacy was violated when his medical records were seized for an investigation of whether he illegally purchased painkillers. The 4-3 order did not explain the court’s reasoning. Limbaugh’s attorney …

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A suspect in the stabbing of an elderly woman grabbed the gun of a detective who was questioning him and fatally shot the man in a conference room at police headquarters, authorities said. James Allen, 50, died early Sunday while questioning Esteban Carpio, who was not under …

TAMPA, Fla. – Terri Schiavo’s (search) body was cremated Saturday as disagreements continued between her husband and her parents, who were unable to have their own independent expert observe her autopsy. The cremation was carried out according to a court order issued Tuesday establishing that Michael Schiavo (search) had the …

WASHINGTON – Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) on Monday said it would pull out of its $7.6 billion deal to buy MCI Inc. (MCIP) if MCI’s board deemed a rival $9.07 billion bid by Qwest Communications International Inc. (Q) “superior.” The move suggests Verizon is unwilling to raise its bid for …